Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display is formed by arraying a plurality of pixels 10, and the pixel 10 includes a first substrate 20, a second substrate 50, a first electrode 120 formed on the first substrate 20, a second electrode 52 formed on the second substrate 50, and a liquid crystal layer 60. A pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule 61, and the first electrode 120 is formed of a transparent conductive material layer and a foundation layer 150 including a plurality of projecting portions 130 and recessed portions 140. A first transparent conductive material layer 135 connected to a first power feeding unit is formed on a projecting portion top surface 151 of the foundation layer 150, and a second transparent conductive material layer 145 connected to a second power feeding unit is formed on a recessed portion bottom surface 152 of the foundation layer 150.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/127,427, filed on Sep. 20, 2016, which is anational stage of PCT/JP2015/056156, filed on Mar. 3, 2015, and claimsthe benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application JP2014-070957 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 31, 2014, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display that includesa liquid crystal display element in which a liquid crystal layer issealed between a pair of substrates having electrodes on facingsurfaces.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, liquid crystal displays (LCD) are widely used asdisplay monitors of a liquid crystal television set, a notebook personalcomputer, a car navigation device, and the like. Such liquid crystaldisplays are categorized into various display modes (systems) accordingto molecular alignment (orientation) of liquid crystal moleculesincluded in the liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates.As the display mode, for example, a twisted nematic (TN) mode in whichthe liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a twisted manner in a statenot applied with voltage is well known. In the TN mode, the liquidcrystal molecule has a property in which positive dielectric constantanisotropy, namely, the dielectric constant in a long axis direction ofthe liquid crystal molecule is larger compared to that in a short axisdirection. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules has a structure inwhich the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a direction verticalto the substrate surfaces while orientation directions of the liquidcrystal molecules are sequentially rotated within a plane parallel tosubstrate surfaces.

On the other hand, there has been growing attention to a verticalalignment (VA) mode in which the liquid crystal molecules are orientedvertical to the substrate surfaces in a state not applied with voltage.In the VA mode, the liquid crystal molecule has a property in which thenegative dielectric constant anisotropy, namely, the dielectric constantin the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule is smallercompared to that in the short axis direction, and a wider viewing anglecan be achieved compared to the TN mode.

In such a VA mode liquid crystal display, when voltage is applied, theliquid crystal molecules oriented in a direction vertical to thesubstrates make a response to the voltage so as to fall down in adirection parallel to the substrates due to the negative dielectricconstant anisotropy, thereby transmitting light. However, since thefalling direction of the liquid crystal molecule oriented vertical tothe substrates is arbitrary, deterioration of response characteristicsmay be caused by disorder of orientation of the liquid crystal moleculecaused by the voltage application.

Accordingly, as an approach to control orientation of the liquid crystalmolecule at the time of voltage application, various kinds of techniquesare proposed until today. For example, a multi-domain vertical alignment(MVA) system, a patterned vertical alignment (PVA) system, or a methodof using an optical orientation film (for example, Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 5-232473) is proposed. In the MVA system, ahigh viewing angle is achieved while performing orientation control byusing a slit and a rib. Recently, in addition thereto, there is aproposed structure as a so-called solid electrode (also referred to as afine slit structure) in which a plurality of fine slits is provided on afirst electrode (specifically, a pixel electrode) formed on one of thesubstrates and no slit is provided on an electrode formed on the othersubstrate (specifically, a facing electrode) (refer to Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2002-357830, for example). However, in thefine slit structure, there are portions not applied with an electricfield in the slit formed of fine lines and spaces, and furthermore, anorientation state of the liquid crystal molecules takes a twistedstructure during voltage application in the vicinity of edge of a line.Therefore, there may be a problem in which light transmissivity isdeteriorated.

A technology to resolve such a problem, that is, a technology forming anuneven portion instead of providing the plurality of fine slits on thepixel electrode is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2011-232736. Here, in one pixel, a plurality of uneven portions isformed of: a trunk projecting portion that extends in an X-axisdirection and a Y-axis direction; and a plurality of branch projectingportions that extends from a side edge of the trunk projecting portiontoward a pixel peripheral portion. Furthermore, a first electrode havingan uneven portion can be obtained by, for example, forming unevenness ona foundation layer and forming a transparent conductive material layeron this foundation layer.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    5-232473-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2002-357830-   Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2011-232736

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2011-232736, above-described problems in the fine slit structure can beprevented from occurring. However, in the case where inclination of aside surface of an uneven portion is forward tapered, when liquidcrystal molecules are oriented relative to a portion of a firstelectrode on the side surface of the forward-tapered uneven portion, aliquid crystal orientation state is affected and optical characteristicsmay be deteriorated. In order to align the liquid crystal molecules inan ideal manner on the uneven portion, preferably, the side surface ofthe uneven portion is vertical as much as possible. However, in the casewhere the side surface of the uneven portion is vertical as much aspossible, a so-called level disconnection may occur in a transparentconductive material layer. Furthermore, in the event of leveldisconnection, an electric field generated by voltage application to thefirst electrode becomes non-uniform, and quality deterioration of adisplay image may be caused.

Therefore, the present disclosure is directed to providing a liquidcrystal display having a constitution and a structure in whichnon-uniform electric field generated by voltage application to the firstelectrode can be prevented and quality deterioration of a display imageis hardly caused.

Solutions to Problems

The liquid crystal display according to first to fifth aspects of thepresent disclosure in order to achieve the above objects is formed byarraying a plurality of pixels, and the pixel includes:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode formed on a facing surface of the first substrate thatfaces a second substrate;

a second electrode formed on a facing surface of the second substratethat faces the first substrate; and

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and thesecond electrode and including a liquid crystal molecule,

wherein

a pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule, and

the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material layerand a foundation layer having a plurality of projecting portions andrecessed portions.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display according to the first aspectof the present disclosure,

a first transparent conductive material layer connected to a first powerfeeding unit is formed on a projecting portion top surface of thefoundation layer, and

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to a secondpower feeding unit is formed on a recessed portion bottom surface of thefoundation layer.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal displays according to the second tothird aspects of the present disclosure,

a first transparent conductive material layer is formed on a projectingportion top surface of the foundation layer,

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to the firsttransparent conductive material layer is formed on a recessed portionbottom surface of the foundation layer,

a projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion that passesa pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in a crossshape), and a plurality of branch projecting portions that extends fromthe trunk projecting portion toward a pixel peripheral portion,a recessed portion extends from the trunk projecting portion and islocated between a branch projecting portion and a branch projectingportion,a narrowest portion exists in the recessed portion (second aspect of thepresent disclosure), ora region where a level difference between the recessed portion and theprojecting portion becomes smallest exists (third aspect of the presentdisclosure).

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth tofifth aspects of the present disclosure,

a first transparent conductive material layer is formed on a projectingportion top surface of the foundation layer,

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to the firsttransparent conductive material layer is formed on a recessed portionbottom surface of the foundation layer,

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion formed ina pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape and a plurality ofbranch projecting portions extending from the trunk projecting portiontoward inside of the pixel,

the recessed portion extends from the trunk projecting portion and islocated between a branch projecting portion and a branch projectingportion,

a narrowest portion exists in the recessed portion (fourth aspect of thepresent disclosure), or

a region where a level difference between the recessed portion and theprojecting portion becomes smallest exists (fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure).

Effects of the Invention

In the liquid crystal display according to the first aspect, the firsttransparent conductive material layer connected to the first powerfeeding unit is formed on the projecting portion top surface of thefoundation layer, and the second transparent conductive material layerconnected to the second power feeding unit is formed on the recessedportion bottom surface of the foundation layer. Therefore, voltage canbe surely applied to the first transparent conductive material layer andthe second transparent conductive material layer. Furthermore, in theliquid crystal displays according to the second to fifth aspects, thenarrowest portion exists in the recessed portion or the region where thelevel difference between the recessed portion and the projecting portionbecomes the smallest exists, or the narrowest portion in the recessedportion is formed on the basis of resolution limit design in aphoto-lithography technique. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a statein which the first transparent conductive material layer formed on theprojecting portion top surface and the second transparent conductivematerial layer formed on the recessed portion bottom surface are atleast partly connected inside the pixel. Note that the above effectsdescribed in the present specification are only examples and not limitedthereto, and further additional effects may also be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a liquid crystaldisplay of a first work example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a first substrateconstituting the liquid crystal display of the first work example whenviewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a modified example of thefirst substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the firstwork example when viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in another modified example ofthe first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the firstwork example when viewed from above.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a schematic end face views of the liquid crystaldisplay of the first work example taken along an arrow A-A and takenalong an arrow B-B in FIG. 2 respectively, and FIG. 5C is an enlargedpartial cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a first substrateconstituting a liquid crystal display of a second work example whenviewed from above.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a first substrateconstituting a liquid crystal display of a third work example whenviewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view in which a portion of a first electrodeof one pixel constituting the liquid crystal display of the third workexample is enlarged.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams to describe the third workexample and behavior of liquid crystal molecules at a branch projectingportion of the liquid crystal display in which the branch projectingportion is not tapered.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a modified example of thefirst substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the thirdwork example when viewed from above.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in another modified example ofthe first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the thirdwork example when viewed from above.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a first substrateconstituting a liquid crystal display of a fourth work example whenviewed from above.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a modified example of thefirst substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the fourthwork example when viewed from above.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in another modified example ofthe first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of thefourth work example when viewed from above.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a first substrateconstituting a liquid crystal display of a fifth work example whenviewed from above.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in a modified example of thefirst substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the fifthwork example when viewed from above.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a pixel in another modified example ofthe first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display of the fifthwork example when viewed from above.

FIG. 18A is a schematic end face view of the liquid crystal displays ofthe second work example and the fifth work example taken along an errorA-A in FIG. 6 (second work example) and FIG. 15 (fifth work example),FIG. 18B is a schematic end face view of the same taken along an arrowB-B in FIG. 6 (second work example), FIG. 18C is a schematic end faceview of the liquid crystal display of the third work example taken alongan arrow A-A in FIG. 7, and FIG. 18D is a schematic end face view of theliquid crystal display of the fourth work example taken along an arrowA-A in FIG. 12.

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a liquid crystal display of a sixth work example.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic plan views of a portion of a firstelectrode of one pixel constituting a modified example of the liquidcrystal display of the sixth work example respectively.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are schematic plan views of a portion of a firstelectrode of one pixel constituting another modified example of theliquid crystal display of the sixth work example respectively.

FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a liquid crystal display of a seventh work example.

FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a liquid crystal display of an eighth work example.

FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a modified example of the liquid crystal display of theeighth work example.

FIG. 25 is a schematic partial end face view of a liquid crystal displayof a ninth work example.

FIG. 26 is a schematic partial end face view of a modified example ofthe liquid crystal display of the ninth work example.

FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a liquid crystal display of a tenth work example.

FIG. 28 is a schematic plan view of a modified example of the firstelectrode of one pixel constituting the liquid crystal display of thetenth work example.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are schematic partial end face views of the firstelectrode and the like in the liquid crystal display of the tenth workexample taken along an arrow A-A and an arrow B-B in FIG. 27, and FIGS.29C and 29D are schematic partial end face views of the first electrodeand the like in the liquid crystal display of the tenth work exampletaken along an arrow C-C and an arrow D-D in FIG. 28.

FIGS. 30A, 30B, and 30C are respectively: a diagram illustrating aschematic arrangement state of a projecting portion, a recessed portion,a center region, and the like; a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a slit portion provided at the first electrode; anda diagram in which an uneven portion and the slit portion are overlappedeach other, in a portion of a pixel constituting a liquid crystaldisplay of an eleventh work example.

FIGS. 31A, 31B, and 31C are respectively: a diagram illustrating aschematic arrangement state of a projecting portion, a recessed portion,a center region, and the like; a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a slit portion provided at the first electrode; anda diagram in which an uneven portion and the slit portion are overlappedeach other, in a portion of a modified example of the pixel constitutingthe liquid crystal display of the eleventh work example.

FIGS. 32A, 32B, and 32C are respectively: a diagram illustrating aschematic arrangement state of a projecting portion, a recessed portion,a center region, and the like; a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a slit portion provided at the first electrode; anda diagram in which an uneven portion and the slit portion are overlappedeach other, in a portion of another modified example of the pixelconstituting the liquid crystal display of the eleventh work example.

FIGS. 33A, 33B, and 33C are respectively: a diagram illustrating aschematic arrangement state of a projecting portion, a recessed portion,a center region, and the like; a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a slit portion provided at the first electrode; anda diagram in which an uneven portion and the slit portion are overlappedeach other, in a portion of still another modified example of the pixelconstituting the liquid crystal display of the eleventh work example.

FIG. 34A is a schematic end face view taken along an arrow A-A in FIG.30C, FIG. 34B is a schematic end face view taken along an arrow B-B inFIG. 31C, FIG. 34C is a schematic end face view taken along an arrow C-Cin FIG. 32C, and FIG. 34D is a schematic end face view taken along anarrow D-D in FIG. 33C.

FIG. 35A is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement state ofa projecting portion, a recessed portion, a slit portion, and the likeand 35B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first electrode andthe like taken along an arrow B-B in FIG. 35A respectively in a portionof the still another modified example of the pixel constituting theliquid crystal display of the eleventh work example.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are respectively: a diagram schematically illustratingan arrangement state of a projecting portion, a recessed portion, a slitportion, and the like; and a schematic cross-sectional view of the firstelectrode and the like taken along an arrow B-B in FIG. 36A, in aportion of the still another modified example of the pixel constitutingthe liquid crystal display of the eleventh work example.

FIG. 37 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a liquid crystal display of a twelfth work example.

FIG. 38A is a schematic plan view of a portion of the first electrode ina center region of one pixel constituting the liquid crystal display ofthe twelfth work example, and FIGS. 38B and 38C are schematic partialcross-sectional views of a portion of the first electrode in the centerregion of the one pixel constituting the liquid crystal display of thetwelfth work example.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are schematic plan views of a portion of the firstelectrode in the center region of the one pixel constituting the liquidcrystal display of the twelfth work example respectively.

FIG. 40 is a schematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting a liquid crystal display of a thirteenth work example.

FIGS. 41A and 41B are schematic plan views in which a portion of thefirst electrode surrounded by a round shape region is enlarged in theschematic plan view of the first electrode illustrated in FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a schematic plan view in which a portion of the firstelectrode surrounded by a round shape region is enlarged in theschematic plan view of the first electrode illustrated in FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the firstelectrode and the like in a liquid crystal display of a fourteenth workexample, and corresponds to the schematic partial cross-sectional viewof the first electrode and the like taken along the arrow A-A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 44A is a schematic diagram to describe pretilt of a liquid crystalmolecule, and FIGS. 44B and 44C are conceptual diagrams illustratingbehavior of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal display ofthe ninth work example.

FIG. 45 is a circuit configuration diagram of the liquid crystal displayillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 46A and 46B are schematic partial end face views of a firstsubstrate on which a TFT and the like, and the first electrode areformed.

FIG. 47 is a partial schematic plan view of a portion of a branchprojecting portion and the like in order to describe a forming pitch ofthe branch projecting portion, a width of the branch projecting portion,a width of a distal end portion of the branch projecting portion, andthe like.

FIG. 48 is a partial schematic plan view of a portion of the branchprojecting portion and the like in order to describe the forming pitchof the branch projecting portion, the width of the branch projectingportion, the width of the distal end portion of the branch projectingportion, and the like.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, the present disclosure will be described withreference to the drawing on the basis of work examples, but note thatthe present disclosure is not limited to the work examples and variousvalues and materials in the work examples are just examples. Note thatthe description will be provided in the following order.

1. Description for Liquid Crystal Displays According to First to FourthAspects of Present Disclosure and General Information

2. First Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According to First Aspectand First-A Aspect of Present Disclosure)

3. Second Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According toModification of First Work Example and First-B Aspect of PresentDisclosure)

4. Third Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According to SecondAspect and Third Aspect of Present Disclosure)

5. Fourth Work Example (Liquid Crystal Display According to FourthAspect, Fourth-A aspect, Fifth Aspect, and Fifth-A Aspect of PresentDisclosure)

6. Fifth Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According to Modificationof Fourth Work Example, Fourth-B Aspect, and Fifth-B Aspect of PresentDisclosure)

7. Sixth Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According to Modificationof Fourth to Fifth Work Examples, Fourth-C Aspect, and Fifth-C Aspect ofPresent Disclosure)

8. Seventh Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According toModification of Fourth to Fifth Work Examples, Fourth-D Aspect, andFifth-D Aspect of Present Disclosure)

9. Eighth Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According toModification of Fourth to Sixth Work Examples, Fourth-E Aspect, andFifth-E Aspect of Present Disclosure)

10. Ninth Work Example (Modification of First Work Example, Third WorkExample, and Fourth Work Example)

11. Tenth Work Example (Modification of First to Fifth Work Examples)

12. Eleventh Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According toModification of First to Tenth Work Examples and Sixth Aspect of PresentDisclosure)

13. Twelfth Work Example (Liquid Crystal Displays According toModification of First to Eleventh Work Examples and Seventh Aspect ofPresent Disclosure)

14. Thirteenth Work Example (Modification of First Work Example andFourth Work Example)

15. Fourteenth Work Examples (Modification of First to Thirteenth WorkExamples)

[Description for Liquid Crystal Displays According to First to FifthAspects of Present Disclosure and General Information]

In a liquid crystal display according to a first aspect of the presentdisclosure, all of first transparent conductive material layers areconnected and all of second transparent conductive material layers areconnected inside a pixel. Further, in liquid crystal displays accordingto second to fifth aspects of the present disclosure, a firsttransparent conductive material layer formed on a trunk projectingportion is connected to a power feeding unit.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display according to the first aspectof the present disclosure, it may be possible to have a configuration inwhich

a projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion that passesa pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in a crossshape), and a plurality of branch projecting portions that extends fromthe trunk projecting portion toward a pixel peripheral portion, anda recessed portion is formed of a trunk recessed portion that is formedin a pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape and surrounds theprojecting portion, and a branch recessed portion that extends from thetrunk recessed portion and is located between a branch projectingportion and a branch projecting portion. Note that such a configurationmay be conveniently referred to as “liquid crystal display according toa first-A aspect of the present disclosure”.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal display according to the firstaspect of the present disclosure, it may be possible to have aconfiguration in which

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion formed inthe pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape, and a plurality ofbranch projecting portions that extends from the trunk projectingportion toward inside of the pixel, and

the recessed portion is formed of a trunk recessed portion that passesthe pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in a crossshape), and a branch recessed portion that extends from the trunkrecessed portion toward the pixel peripheral portion and is locatedbetween a branch projecting portion and a branch projecting portion.Note that such a configuration may be conveniently referred to as“liquid crystal display according to a first-B aspect of the presentdisclosure”.

In the liquid crystal display according to the first aspect of thepresent disclosure including the various preferable kinds ofconfigurations described above, it may be possible to have aconstitution in which a first power feeding unit and a second powerfeeding unit are common, and in this case, it may be possible to have aconstitution in which the common first power feeding unit and secondpower feeding unit are provided in the pixel peripheral portion.Alternatively, it may be possible to have a constitution in which thefirst power feeding unit is provided in the pixel center portion and thesecond power feeding unit is provided in the pixel peripheral portion.Alternatively, it may be possible to have a constitution in which thefirst power feeding unit and the second power feeding unit are providedin the pixel peripheral portion.

In the liquid crystal display according to the first aspect of thepresent disclosure, it may be possible to have a configuration in whicha first transparent conductive material layer formed on a projectingportion top surface and a second transparent conductive material layerformed on a recessed portion bottom surface are at least partlyconnected inside the pixel. In the liquid crystal displays according tothe second aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it maybe possible to have a configuration in which a width of the recessedportion becomes narrowest at a portion where the recessed portion startsextending from the trunk projecting portion. In other words, thenarrowest portion corresponds to the portion where the recessed portionstarts extending from the trunk projecting portion. In the liquidcrystal displays according to the third aspect or the fifth aspect ofthe present disclosure, it may be possible to have a configuration inwhich a level difference between the recessed portion and the projectingportion is smallest at a portion where the recessed portion startsextending from the trunk projecting portion.

In the liquid crystal display according to the first aspect of thepresent disclosure or the liquid crystal displays according to thesecond to fifth aspects of the present disclosure including the variouspreferable kinds of configurations described above,

in the case of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which straightlines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to the pixelperipheral portion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis respectively, itmay be possible to have a configuration in which

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases, and

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases.Such an arrangement state of the branch projecting portions is referredto as a multi-domain electrode structure, and viewing anglecharacteristics can be improved because regions formed with the branchprojecting portions having different extending directions are formedinside one pixel. The same is applied to the following description.

Moreover, it is preferable to have a configuration in which theplurality of branch projecting portions occupying the first quadrantextends forming a 45-degree angle between axial lines and the X-axis,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the secondquadrant extends forming a 135-degree angle between axial lines thereofand the X-axis, the plurality of branch projecting portions occupyingthe third quadrant extends forming a 225-degree angle between axiallines thereof and the X-axis, and the plurality of branch projectingportions occupying the fourth quadrant extends forming a 315-degreeangle between axial lines thereof and the X-axis. However, there is nolimitation to these values (angles). The same is applied to thefollowing.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth aspect and thefifth aspect of the present disclosure, it may be possible to have aconfiguration in which the projecting portion further includes a secondtrunk projecting portion that passes the pixel center portion from thetrunk projecting portion, radially extends (for example, in a crossshape), and is connected to a branch projecting portion. Meanwhile, sucha configuration may be referred to as “liquid crystal display accordingto a fourth-A aspect of the present disclosure” and “liquid crystaldisplay according to a fifth-A aspect of the present disclosure”. It maybe possible to have a configuration in which the width of the recessedportion becomes narrowest also at a portion where the recessed portionstarts extending from the second trunk projecting portion.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displays according to the fourthaspect and the fifth-A aspect of the present disclosure, it may bepossible to have a configuration in which a recessed portion is formedof a trunk recessed portion that passes the pixel center portion andradially extends (for example, in a cross shape), and a branch recessedportion that extends from the trunk recessed portion to the trunkprojecting portion and is located between a branch projecting portionand a branch projecting portion. Meanwhile, such a configuration may bereferred to as “liquid crystal display according to a fourth-B aspect ofthe present disclosure” and “liquid crystal display according to afifth-B aspect of the present disclosure”.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth aspect and thefifth aspect of the present disclosure including the liquid crystaldisplays according to the fourth-A aspect, fourth-B aspect, fifth-Aaspect, and the fifth-B aspect of the present disclosure describedabove, in the case of assuming the (X, Y) coordinate system in which thestraight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to thepixel peripheral portion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axisrespectively, it may be possible to have a configuration in which

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases, and

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displays according to the fourthaspect and the fifth aspect of the present disclosure,

in the case of assuming the (X, Y) coordinate system in which therespective straight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallelto the pixel peripheral portion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axis, itmay be possible to have a configuration in whicha plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a connected state,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant areformed in a connected state;the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a connected state; andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a connected state. Meanwhile, such a configuration may bereferred to as “liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-C aspectof the present disclosure” and “liquid crystal display according to afifth-C aspect of the present disclosure”. In the liquid crystaldisplays according to the fourth-C aspect and the fifth-C aspect of thepresent disclosure, the second trunk projecting portion and the trunkrecessed portion are not provided different from the liquid crystaldisplays according to the fourth-A aspect, fourth-B aspect, fifth-Aaspect, and fifth-B aspect of the present disclosure.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth-C aspect and thefifth-C aspect of the present disclosure, it may be possible to have aconstitution in which a joint portion of the two branch projectingportions is provided with a projection extending in a direction of thepixel peripheral portion. Here, the projection may have a constitutionsurrounded by a plurality of line segments, also a constitutionsurrounded by one curved line, also a constitution surrounded by aplurality of curved lines, and also a constitution surrounded bycombination of a line segment and a curved line. A tip of the projectionmay contact the joint portion of the two branch projecting portionsadjacent to each other in the direction of the pixel peripheral portion.However, a liquid crystal display having a state in which a contactportion is long corresponds to the liquid crystal displays according tothe fourth-A aspect and the fifth-A aspect of the present disclosure.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displays according to the fourthaspect and the fifth aspect of the present disclosure,

in the case of assuming the (X, Y) coordinate system in which therespective straight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallelto the pixel peripheral portion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axis, itmay be possible to have a configuration in whichthe plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant arenot jointed,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant arenot jointed,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant arenot jointed, andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant arenot jointed. Meanwhile, such a configuration may be referred to as“liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-D aspect of the presentdisclosure” and “liquid crystal display according to a fifth-D aspect ofthe present disclosure”.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displays according to the fourthaspect and the fifth aspect of the present disclosure,

in the case of assuming the (X, Y) coordinate system in which therespective straight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallelto the pixel peripheral portion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axis, itmay be possible to have a configuration in whichthe plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying the third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,the plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a deviated state,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant areformed in a deviated state,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a deviated state, andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a deviated state. Meanwhile, such a configuration may bereferred to as “liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-E aspectof the present disclosure” and “liquid crystal display according to afifth-E aspect of the present disclosure”.

By thus forming the branch projecting portion and the branch projectingportion are formed in the state non-jointed or deviated state, anelectrical field generated by the first electrode at the pixel center isdistorted in a desired manner in the vicinity of the pixel center, and afalling direction of a liquid crystal molecule is determined.Furthermore, as a result thereof, orientation control force relative tothe liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of the pixel center can beenhanced, and a tilting state of the liquid crystal molecule in thevicinity of the pixel center can be surely determined. Thus, at the timeof manufacturing the liquid crystal display, time required to stabilizeorientation of the liquid crystal molecule exposed to a desiredelectrical field can be shortened although a liquid crystal layer isexposed to the desired electrical field in order to provide a pretiltangle to the liquid crystal molecule. In other words, the pretilt anglecan be provided to the liquid crystal molecule in a short time, andmanufacturing time of the liquid crystal display can be shortened.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth-E aspect and thefifth-E aspect of the present disclosure,

in the case of assuming a forming pitch of the branch projectingportions along the X-axis is P_(X) and assuming a forming pitch of thebranch projecting portions along the Y-axis is P_(Y), it is preferableto have a configuration in which

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(X)/2,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(Y)/2,the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(X)/2, andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(Y)/2.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth-Caspect, fourth-D aspect, fourth-E aspect, fifth-C aspect, fifth-Daspect, and fifth-E aspect of the present disclosure, a portion of thebranch projecting portion extending in parallel to the X-axis or aportion of the branch projecting portion extending in parallel to theY-axis does not exist, or even in the case of existing, a length thereofis extremely short. Therefore, orientation directions of the liquidcrystal molecules can be made to conform to the extending directions ofthe branch projecting portions as much as possible, and generation ofdark lines in regions corresponding to the X-axis and Y-axis can besuppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide a liquid crystaldisplay that can achieve more uniform and high light transmissivity.Moreover, it is possible to provide the liquid crystal display having aconstitution and a structure capable of providing a liquid crystalmolecule with a pretilt angle in a short time.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first to fifth aspectsof the present disclosure including the various kinds of preferableconfigurations and constitutions described above, it may be possible tohave a configuration in which a transparent conductive material layer isfurther formed on at least a part of a side surface of the foundationlayer that connects the projecting portion top surface to the recessedportion bottom surface of the foundation layer.

Moreover, in the liquid crystal displays according to the first to fifthaspects of the present disclosure including the various kinds ofpreferable configurations and constitutions described above, it may bepossible to have a configuration in which a black matrix is provided anda projection image at a portion of the first substrate located between apixel and a pixel, a projection image in the pixel peripheral portion,and a projection image in the black matrix are overlapped.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal displays according to the first tofifth aspects of the present disclosure including the various kinds ofpreferable configurations and constitutions described above, it may bepossible to have a configuration in which a first orientation film tocover the first electrode and a second orientation film to cover thesecond electrode are further provided, and the liquid crystal moleculeis provided with a pretilt angle by making polymerizable monomer(orientation control material) constituting at least the firstorientation film react while a predetermined electrical field is appliedto the liquid crystal layer. Alternatively, in the liquid crystaldisplays according to the first to fifth aspects of the presentdisclosure including the various kinds of preferable configurations andconstitutions described above, it may be possible to have aconfiguration in which a first orientation film to cover the firstelectrode and a second orientation film to cover the second electrodeare further provided, and the liquid crystal molecule is provided with apretilt angle by making polymerizable monomer (orientation controlmaterial) included inside the liquid crystal layer react while apredetermined electrical field is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

In the liquid crystal display according to the first-A aspect, theliquid crystal display according to the second aspect, and the liquidcrystal display according to the third aspect of the present disclosure,the trunk projecting portion passes the pixel center portion andradially extends (for example, in a cross shape), but specifically, thetrunk projecting portion may have a configuration of extending inparallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis, for example. In the liquidcrystal displays according to the fourth-A aspect of the presentdisclosure and the fifth-A aspect of the present disclosure, the secondtrunk projecting portion passes the pixel center portion from the trunkprojecting portion and radially extends (for example, in a cross shape),but specifically, the second trunk projecting portion may have aconfiguration of extending in parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis, forexample. In the liquid crystal display according to the first-B aspect,the liquid crystal display according to the fourth-B aspect, and theliquid crystal display according to the fifth-B aspect of the presentdisclosure, the trunk recessed portion passes the pixel center portionand radially extends (for example, in a cross shape), but specifically,the trunk recessed portion may have a configuration of extending inparallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis, for example.

Furthermore, in these cases, when an average film thickness of the firstorientation film is defined as T₁, and an average film thickness of thesecond orientation film is defined as T₂, 0.5≤T₂/T₁≤1.5 is desirablysatisfied, preferably, 0.8≤T₂/T₁≤1.2 is satisfied. Here, an average filmthickness of the orientation film is a value obtained by dividing avolume of the orientation film occupying one pixel (or one sub-pixel) byan area of one pixel (or one sub-pixel). By thus determining the valueof T₂/T₁, in other words, by making the average film thickness of thefirst orientation film and the average film thickness of the secondorientation film equal or almost equal, occurrence of image persistenceand the like cab be surely prevented.

An exemplary minimum width of the recessed portion in the liquid crystaldisplay according to the second aspect or the fourth aspect of thepresent disclosure may be 0.1 μm to 2 μm, but not limited thereto.Additionally, in the preferable configurations of the liquid crystaldisplays according to the third aspect or the fifth aspect of thepresent disclosure, a level difference between the recessed portion andthe projecting portion is smallest at the portion where the recessedportion starts extending from the trunk projecting portion, for example.In other words, a depth of the recessed portion where the recessedportion starts extending from the trunk projecting portion is smallest,and the depth of the recessed portion becomes deeper and deeper as aposition moves away from the trunk projecting portion. When the positionmoves away from the trunk projecting portion to a certain extent (suchas from 20% to 80% of an entire length of the recessed portion), thedepth of the recessed portion becomes constant. In the liquid crystaldisplays according to the third aspect or the fifth aspect of thepresent disclosure, as a ratio of (minimum level differencevalue/maximum level difference value), 0≤(minimum level differencevalue/maximum level difference value)≤0.5 may be exemplified, or as aminimum level difference value, 5 nm to 0.05 μm may be exemplified.Forming the narrowest portion (forming a state in which the width of theportion where the recessed portion starts extending from the trunkprojecting portion is narrowest) in the liquid crystal display accordingto the second aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, andforming a region where the level difference between the recessed portionand the projecting portion becomes narrowest (forming a state in whichthe level difference between the recessed portion and the projectingportion at the portion where the recessed portion starts extending fromthe trunk projecting portion becomes narrowest) in the liquid crystaldisplay according to the third aspect or the fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure can be achieved by a phenomenon so called a micro-loadingeffect or can be achieved on the basis of resolution limit design in aphoto-lithography technique such as a light exposure method using aphotomask having a halftone structure.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first-A aspect, secondaspect, third aspect, fourth-A aspect, and fifth-A aspect of the presentdisclosure, it may be possible to have a configuration in which anorientation control unit is formed at the trunk projecting portion orthe portion of the second electrode corresponding to the second trunkprojecting portion. By forming the orientation control unit at the trunkprojecting portion or the portion of the second electrode correspondingto the second trunk projecting portion, an electrical field generated bythe second electrode is distorted in the vicinity of the orientationcontrol unit or the falling direction of the liquid crystal molecule inthe vicinity of the orientation control unit is determined. As result,orientation control force relative to the liquid crystal molecule in thevicinity of the orientation control unit can be enhanced, and a tiltingstate of the liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of the orientationcontrol unit can be surely determined. Therefore, occurrence of aproblem such as generation of dark lines at a portion of the imagecorresponding to the trunk projecting portion or the second trunkprojecting portion can be surely suppressed at the time of imagedisplay. In other words, it is possible to provide the liquid crystaldisplay capable of having more uniform and high light transmissivitywhile maintaining excellent voltage response characteristics. Moreover,cost for a light source constituting a back light can be reduced, lowpower consumption can be achieved, and reliability of a TFT can beimproved.

Here, the orientation control unit may have a configuration formed of asecond electrode slit structure provided at the second electrode, or mayhave a configuration formed of a second electrode protruding portionprovided at the second electrode, or may have a constitution formed of aportion of the second electrode having a protruding shape. The secondelectrode protruding portion is formed of a resist material, forexample, and the second electrode is not formed thereon. In order toprovide the portion of the second electrode having the protruding shape,a projecting portion may be formed on a lower side of the secondelectrode, or the portion of the second electrode having the protrudingshape may also be provided in a method of forming the projecting portionsimilar to the forming method of the projecting portion in the firstelectrode. Preferably, widths of the second electrode slit structure,second electrode protruding portion, or portion of the second electrodehaving the protruding shape are narrower than a width of the trunkprojecting portion or the second trunk projecting portion.

Additionally, in the liquid crystal display according to the first-Aaspect, first-B aspect, second aspect, third aspect, fourth-A aspect,fourth-B aspect, fourth-E aspect, fifth-A aspect, fifth-B aspect, or afifth-E aspect of the present disclosure, it may be possible to have aconfiguration in which a first electrode slit structure or a firstelectrode protruding portion passing the pixel center portion andparallel to the pixel peripheral portion is formed in the firstelectrode. By forming the first electrode slit structure or the firstelectrode protruding portion in the first electrode passing the pixelcenter portion and parallel to the pixel peripheral portion, namely, byforming the first electrode slit structure or the first electrodeprotruding portion in the trunk projecting portion, second trunkprojecting portion, and trunk recessed portion, an electrical fieldgenerated by the first electrode is distorted in the vicinity of thefirst electrode slit structure, or a falling direction of the liquidcrystal molecule is determined in the vicinity of the first electrodeprotruding portion, compared to the case where a flat recessed portionwithout having any first electrode slit structure or the first electrodeprotruding portion is formed in the first electrode. As a result,orientation control force relative to the liquid crystal molecule in thevicinity of the first electrode slit structure or the first electrodeprotruding portion can be enhanced, and a tilting state of the liquidcrystal molecule in the vicinity of the first electrode slit structureor the first electrode protruding portion can be surely determined.Therefore, at the time of image display, occurrence of a problem such asgeneration of dark lines at a portion of the image corresponding to thetrunk projecting portion, second trunk projecting portion, and trunkrecessed portion can be surely suppressed. In other words, it ispossible to provide the liquid crystal display capable of having moreuniform and high light transmissivity while maintaining excellentvoltage response characteristics. Moreover, cost for a light sourceconstituting a back light can be reduced, low power consumption can beachieved, and reliability of a TFT can be improved.

The first electrode protruding portion is formed of, for example, aresist material, and the first electrode is not formed thereon.Alternatively, the first electrode may have a configuration in which theprojecting portion that passes the pixel center portion and isradially-shaped (for example, a cross shape) is surrounded by therecessed portion Such a radially-shaped projecting portion may beprovided by radially forming a projecting portion on a lower side of thefirst electrode, or may be provided by a method similar to the formingmethod of the projecting portion in the first electrode. Alternatively,a recessed portion that passes the pixel center portion and isradially-shaped (for example, a cross shape) may be provided instead ofproviding the first electrode slit structure or the first electrodeprotruding portion (rib).

Meanwhile, the orientation control unit may also be combined with thefirst electrode slit structure or the first electrode protruding portion(rib).

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first to fifth aspectsof the present disclosure including the preferable configurations andconstitutions described above, it may be possible to have a constitutionin which a projecting structure is formed from a portion of the firstsubstrate located between a pixel and a pixel to a portion of the firstsubstrate corresponding to the pixel peripheral portion, and aperipheral portion of the projecting portion and the recessed portion(may be collectively referred to as “uneven portion”) is formed on theprojecting structure. By thus forming the peripheral portion of theuneven portion on the projecting structure, a stronger electrical fieldis formed on the peripheral portion of the uneven portion, compared to acase where the peripheral portion of the uneven portion is flat. As aresult, orientation control force relative to the liquid crystalmolecule in the peripheral portion of the uneven portion can beenhanced, and a tilting state of the liquid crystal molecule in theperipheral portion of the uneven portion can be surely determined.Therefore, excellent voltage response characteristic can be maintained.The projecting structure may have a configuration formed on the basis ofa black matrix formed of a known material.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displays according to the first tofifth aspects of the present disclosure including the preferableconfigurations and constitutions described above, it may be possible tohave a constitution in which the width of the branch projecting portionprovided at the first electrode becomes narrower toward a distal endportion. By thus forming the width of the branch projecting portionprovided at the first electrode in a manner becoming narrower toward thedistal end portion, generation of dark lines can be more reduced. Inother words, more uniform and higher light transmissivity can beachieved, and generation of dark lines can be suppressed. It may bepossible to have a configuration in which the width of the branchprojecting portion is widest at a portion of the branch projectingportion jointed to the trunk projecting portion and becomes narrowertoward the distal end portion from the portion jointed to the trunkprojecting portion. Two side edges of the branch projecting portionfacing each other and extending to the distal end portion from theportion jointed to the trunk projecting portion will be convenientlyreferred to as “side edges”.

Furthermore, in these configurations, the branch projecting portion mayhave a configuration in which the width becomes linearly narrower towardthe distal end portion from the portion jointed to the trunk projectingportion (configuration in which each of the side edges constituting thebranch projecting portion is formed of one line segment and a changerate of the width is constant). However, not limited thereto, the branchprojecting portion may have a configuration in which the width becomesnarrower in a curved manner (configuration in which each of the sideedges constituting the branch projecting portion is formed of one curvedline and a change rate of the width is varied), or may have aconfiguration in which each of the side edges constituting the branchprojecting portion is formed of two or more line segments or curvedlines, or may have a configuration in which the width becomes narrowerstepwisely (configuration in which each of the side edges constitutingthe branch projecting portion is formed stepwise).

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first-A aspect, secondaspect, and third aspect of the present disclosure including thepreferable configurations and constitutions described above, it may bepossible to have a constitution in which an extending direction of aside edge portion of the trunk projecting portion not jointed to abranch projecting portion are parallel to neither the X-axis nor theY-axis. In the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth-A aspect,fourth-E aspect, fifth-A aspect, and fifth-E aspect of the presentdisclosure, it may be possible to have a constitution in which theextending direction of the side edge portion of the second trunkprojecting portion not jointed to a branch projecting portion areparallel to neither the X-axis nor the Y-axis. In other words, theextending direction of the side edge portion of the trunk projectingportion or the second trunk projecting portion not jointed to the branchprojecting portion is different from the X-axis and the Y-axis. Byadopting such a constitution, generation of dark line in regionscorresponding to the X-axis and the Y-axis can be suppressed. As aresult it is possible to provide the liquid crystal display capable ofachieving more uniform and higher light transmissivity. Moreover, it ispossible to provide the liquid crystal display having a constitution anda structure capable of providing a liquid crystal molecule with apretilt angle in a short time.

It may be possible to have a configuration in which a side edge portionof a trunk projecting portion not jointed to a branch projecting portionis a straight line and/or a curved line, namely, a configuration of astraight line, a configuration of a curved line, or configuration ofcombining the straight line and the curved line. Alternatively, it maybe possible to have a configuration in which a width of a portion of thetrunk projecting portion not jointed to the branch projecting portionbecomes narrower toward the distal end portion of the trunk projectingportion.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first to fifth aspectsof the present disclosure including the preferable configurations andconstitutions described above, it may be possible to have aconfiguration in which a slit portion is further formed at the firstelectrode. In other words, the first electrode is formed with theprojecting portion, recessed portion, and slit portion. In the slitportion, a transparent conductive material layer constituting the firstelectrode is not formed. Note that such a configuration may beconveniently referred to as “liquid crystal display according to a sixthaspect of the present disclosure”. By thus providing the slit portion,an electrical field generated by the first electrode is distorted in thevicinity of the slit portion, and a falling direction of the liquidcrystal molecule is firmly determined. As result, orientation controlforce relative to the liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of theslit portion can be enhanced, and a tilting state of the liquid crystalmolecule in the vicinity of the slit portion can be surely determined.Since not only the slit portion but also the projecting portion and therecessed portion are provided, a problem in a fine slit structure of therelated art is prevented from occurring.

In the liquid crystal display according to the sixth aspect of thepresent disclosure, the slit portion may also be formed in a recessedregion, but it is preferably to have a constitution in which the slitportion is formed in a projecting region although it depends on theconstitution of liquid crystal display. Furthermore, in such aconstitution, the slit portion may have a constitution provided in theprojecting region including a pixel center region (center portion), ormay have a constitution formed in the projecting region extending towardthe pixel center region, or may have a constitution formed in theprojecting region provided in a region interposed between the Y-axis andthe branch projecting portion extending toward the pixel center regionas a width of the slit portion, 1 μm to 4 μm, preferably, 2 μm to 3 μmmay be exemplified. The same is applied to the following description forthe slit portion.

Alternatively, it may also be possible to have a constitution in whichthe slit portion extending in parallel to the projecting portion isformed at a top portion of the projecting portion, or it may also bepossible to have a constitution in which the slit portion extending inparallel to the recessed portion is formed at a bottom portion of therecessed portion Furthermore, in these cases, all of the projectingportions may be formed with the slit portions, or part of the projectingportions may be formed with the slit portions. In the case of formingthe slit portion in part of the projecting portions, preferably, theslit portion is formed at the pixel center region (center portion) and aprojecting portion in the vicinity thereof. Furthermore, all of therecessed portions may be formed with the slit portions, or part of therecessed portions may be formed with the slit portions. In the case offorming the slit portion in the part of the recessed portions,preferably, the slit portion is formed at the pixel center region(center portion) and a recessed portion in the vicinity thereof.Alternatively, it may be possible to have a form in which the slitportion extending in parallel to the projecting portion is formed at thetop portion of the projecting portion and the slit portion extending inparallel to the recessed portion is formed at the bottom portion of therecessed portion. In this case, all of the projecting portion may beformed with the slit portions or the part of the projecting portions maybe formed with the slit portions. Furthermore, all of the recessedportions may be formed with the slit portions, or part of the recessedportions may be formed with the slit portions. The first electrode isformed at a portion of a top surface of the projecting portion notprovided with the slit portion, and the first electrode is formed at aportion of the bottom portion of the recessed portion no provided withthe slit portion. The slit portion is required to be formed such that aprojecting portion isolated from other projecting portions is not formedby the slit portion or such that a recessed portion isolated from otherrecessed portions is not formed by the slit portion. However, in adisplay device of a so-called multi-pixel drive system in which onepixel is divided into multiple regions and each of the regions isindependently driven, the slit portion may be formed inside each of theregions such that the projecting portion isolated from other projectingportions is not formed by the slit portion or such that the recessedportion not to isolated from other recessed portions is not formed bythe slit portion. In the case of providing the slit portion on the topsurface of the projecting portion, as a width of the projecting portionand a width of the slit portion, 0.2≤(width of slit portion/width ofprojecting portion)≤0.8 may be exemplified. In the case of providing abottom surface of the recessed portion, as a width of the recessedportion and the width of the slit portion, for example, 0.2≤(width ofslit portion/width of recessed portion)≤0.8 may be exemplified. The sameis applied to the following description for the slit portion.

Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displays according to the first tosixth aspects of the present disclosure including the preferableconfigurations and constitutions described above, it may be possible tohave a constitution in which a dent is provided at the first electrodein the pixel center region. In other words, the projecting portion,recessed portion, and dent are formed at the first electrode. Thetransparent conductive material layer constituting the first electrodeis formed in the dent. Note that such a constitution may be convenientlyreferred to as “liquid crystal display according to a seventh aspect ofthe present disclosure”. By thus providing the dent, a liquid crystalmolecule located in the vicinity of the dent becomes in a state offalling toward the pixel center. Here, the dent may have a form thatbecomes narrower toward the first substrate. In other words, the dentmay have a constitution having a so-called forward tapered inclinedplane. However, not limited thereto, the dent may also have aconstitution having a vertical plane. Furthermore, in the constitutionin which the dent becomes narrower toward the first substrate, the dentmay have a constitutions in which an inclination angle is 5 to 60degrees, preferably, 20 to 30 degrees. An outer edge shape of the dentmay be a round shape or may also be a rectangular shape. In the lattercase, an angle formed between the outer edge of the rectangular-shapeddent and the extending direction of the projecting portion (angle formedbetween the outer edge of the rectangular-shaped dent and the extendingdirection of the projecting portion where the outer edge intersects withan extending portion of the projecting portion) may be 90 degrees or mayalso be an acute angle. The outer edge shape of the dent is not limitedthereto and may also be any shape as long as a structure that can make aliquid crystal molecule fall toward the pixel center is provided.Furthermore, it may be possible to have a constitution in which a centerportion of the dent constitutes a part of a contact hole.

As average widths of the branch projecting portion and the recessedportion, 1 μm to 20 μm, preferably, 2 μm to 10 μm may be exemplified. Inthe case where the average widths of the branch projecting portion andthe recessed portion are less than 1 μm, the branch projecting portionand the recessed portion may be hardly formed, and sufficientmanufacturing yield may not be secured. On the other hand, in the casewhere the average widths of the branch projecting portion and therecessed portion exceed 20 μm, an appropriate oblique electric field maybe hardly generated between the first electrode and the second electrodeat the time of applying drive voltage to the first electrode and thesecond electrode. As an average width of the trunk projecting portion,2×10⁻⁶ m to 2×10⁻⁵ m, preferably, 4×10⁻⁶ m to 1.5×10⁻⁵ m may beexemplified. As an average height from the recessed portion to theprojecting portion, 5×10⁻⁸ m to 1×10⁻⁶ m, preferably, 1×10⁻⁷ m to 5×10⁻⁷m may be exemplified. Furthermore, this enables excellent orientationcontrol, and sufficient manufacturing yield can be secured, and alsodegradation of the light transmissivity and extension of a process timecan be prevented.

Alternatively, as minimum widths and maximum widths of the branchprojecting portion and the recessed portion, 1 μm and 25 μm, preferably,2 μm and 20 μm may be exemplified. In the case where the minimum widthsof the branch projecting portion and the recessed portion are less than1 μm, the branch projecting portion and the recessed portion may behardly formed, and sufficient manufacturing yield may not be secured. Onthe other hand, in the case where the maximum widths of the branchprojecting portion and the recessed portion exceed 25 μm, an appropriateproper oblique electric field may be hardly generated between the firstelectrode and the second electrode at the time of applying drive voltageto the first electrode and the second electrode. As a width of the trunkprojecting portion, 2×10⁻⁶ m to 2×10⁻⁵ m, preferably, 4×10⁻⁶ m to1.5×10⁻⁵ m may be exemplified. As an average height from the recessedportion to the projecting portion, 5×10⁻⁸ m to 1×10⁻⁶ m, preferably,1×10⁻⁷ m to 1×10⁻⁶ m, and more preferably, 2×10⁻⁷ m to 6×10⁻⁷ m may beexemplified. Furthermore, this enables excellent orientation control,and sufficient manufacturing yield can be secured, and also degradationof the light transmissivity and extension of a process time can beprevented.

Except for the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth-D aspectand the fifth-D aspect of the present disclosure, in the liquid crystaldisplays according to the first to fifth aspects of the presentdisclosure, preferably, the branch projecting portions areline-symmetric with respect to the X-axis, and also line-symmetric withrespect to the Y-axis. Alternatively, in the liquid crystal displaysaccording to the first to fifth aspects of the present disclosure, thebranch projecting portions are rotationally symmetric (point-symmetric)at 180 degrees with respect to the pixel center.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first to seventh aspectsincluding the preferable configurations and constitutions describedabove, as described above, it may be possible to have a configuration inwhich the width of the branch projecting portion is widest at theportion of the branch projecting portion jointed to the trunk projectingportion or the portion of the branch projecting portion at the X-axis orthe vicinity thereof and at the Y-axis and the vicinity thereof(conveniently referred to “root portion of the branch projectingportion”), and the width becomes narrower toward the pixel peripheralportion, namely, the distal end portion of the branch projectingportion. Here, a forming pitch of the branch projecting portions isdefined as “P”, the width of the root portion of the branch projectingportion is defined as “W₁”, and the width of the distal end portion ofthe branch projecting portion is defined as “W₂”. As illustrated inFIGS. 47 and 48, in the case of defining, as α₁, an angle formed betweenan edge portion of the trunk projecting portion where the branchprojecting portion is jointed to the trunk projecting portion and anedge portion on one side of the branch projecting portion (side edgeportion) (or an angle formed between the X-axis or the Y-axis and anedge portion on the one side of the branch projecting portion (side edgeportion)), and defining, as α₂, an angle formed between the outer edgeof the trunk projecting portion where the branch projecting portion isjointed to the trunk projecting portion and a side edge portion on theother side of the branch projecting portion (or an angle formed betweenthe X-axis or the Y-axis and a side edge portion on the other side ofthe branch projecting portion), an angle α₀ formed between an axial lineL₀ of the branch projecting portion and the outer edge of the trunkprojecting portion (or an angle α₀ formed between the axial line L₀ ofthe branch projecting portion and the X-axis or the Y-axis) in thevicinity of the outer edge of the trunk projecting portion can beexpressed by: α₀={α₁+(180−α₂)}/2. However, 0<α₁≤90 degrees, and90≤α₂<180 degrees are satisfied. Furthermore, in this case, in the caseof defining, as w₁₁, an intersection point between the outer edge of thetrunk projecting portion and the side edge portion on the one side ofthe branch projecting portion (or intersection point between the X-axisor the Y-axis and the side edge portion on the one side of the branchprojecting portion), defining, as w′₁₁, an intersection point betweenthe X-axis or the Y-axis and the side edge portion on the other side ofthe branch projecting portion, and defining, as w₁₂, an intersectionpoint between the side edge portion on the other side of the branchprojecting portion and a straight line L₁ that passes the intersectionpoint w₁₁ and extends orthogonal to the axial line L₀ of the branchprojecting portion, a distance from the intersection point w₁₁ to theintersection point w₁₂ is defined as the width W₁ of the root portion ofthe branch projecting portion. In the case of defining, as w₂₁, anintersection point between the side edge portion on the one side of thebranch projecting portion and a straight line L₂ corresponding to astraight line that is orthogonal to the axial line L₀ of the branchprojecting portion and contacts the distal end portion of the branchprojecting portion (or intersection point with an extending line of theside edge portion on the one side of the branch projecting portion), anddefining, as w₂₂, an intersection point between the straight line L₂ andthe side edge portion on the other side of the branch projecting portion(or intersection point with an extending line of the side edge portionon the other side of the branch projecting portion), a distance from theintersection point w₂₁ to the intersection point w₂₂ is defined as thewidth W₂ of the distal end portion of the branch projecting portion.Note that the extending line of the side edge portion is indicated by adot-and-dash line in FIG. 48. Additionally, a distance between the axiallines L₀ of adjacent branch projecting portions is defined as a formingpitch P of the branch projecting portion. Furthermore, in the case ofdefining, as w₃₁, an intersection point at which a straight line L₃ thatpasses the intersection point w′₁₁ and parallel to the straight line L₁intersects with the side edge portion on the one side of the branchprojecting portion facing (adjacent to) the side edge portion on theother side of the branch projecting portion, a distance from theintersection point w′₁₁ to the intersection point w₃₁ is defined as adistance W₃ between the branch projecting portions. An entire taperedwidth TP of the branch projecting portion may be defined as TP=W₁−W₂.Additionally, an average width of the branch projecting portion W_(ave1)and an average width W_(ave2) of the recessed portion may be expressedby W_(ave1)=(W₁+W₂)/2 W_(ave2)=P−W_(ave1). Here, as a value of w₃, 1 μmto 10 μm, preferably, 2 μm to 5 μm may be exemplified, as a value of W₂,1 μm to 10 μm, preferably, 2 μm to 5 μm may be exemplified, and as avalue of P, 2 μm to 20 μm, preferably, 2 μm to 10 μm may be exemplified.Furthermore, as a value of TP, 0.1 times to 10 times of W₃ may beexemplified. Note that these values may be applied to the branchprojecting portion having the longest length.

The second aspect and the third aspect of the present disclosure may becombined, and the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure may be combined. Additionally, the first aspect and thesecond aspect of the present disclosure may be combined, the firstaspect and the third aspect of the present disclosure may be combined,the first aspect and the fourth aspect of the present disclosure may becombined, and the first aspect and the fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure may be combined.

In the liquid crystal displays according to the first to seventh aspectsof the present disclosure including the various preferable kinds ofconfigurations and constitutions described above (hereinafter, these maybe simply and correctively referred to as “liquid crystal display of thepresent disclosure”), it may be possible to have a configuration inwhich a liquid crystal molecule has negative dielectric constantanisotropy.

The liquid crystal display or the liquid crystal display element of thepresent disclosure can be obtained by a manufacturing method of a liquidcrystal display or a liquid crystal display element, including steps of;

forming a first electrode on a first substrate and forming a firstorientation film on the first electrode and on a facing surface of thefirst substrate that faces a second substrate;

forming the second electrode on the second substrate and forming asecond orientation film on the second electrode and on a facing surfaceof the second substrate that faces the first substrate;

arranging the first substrate and the second substrate such that thefirst orientation film faces the second orientation film and to seal aliquid crystal layer between the first orientation film and the secondorientation film; and

orienting a liquid crystal molecule by applying a predeterminedelectrical field.

Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable to apply the electricalfield so as to orient the liquid crystal molecule in an obliquedirection relative to a surface of at least one of the pair of thesubstrates. Meanwhile, an azimuth angle (deviation angle) of the liquidcrystal molecule when provided with a pretilt angle is determined byintensity and a direction of the electrical field, and a polar angle(zenith angle) is determined by the intensity of the electrical field.As the case may be, the azimuth angle (deviation angle) and the polarangle (zenith angle) of the liquid crystal molecule when provided with apretilt angle may also be further determined by a molecular structure ofan orientation film material.

The step of orienting the liquid crystal molecule by applying thepredetermined electrical field is formed of a step in which the liquidcrystal molecule is oriented and the pretilt angle is provided by makingan orientation control material react while the predetermined electricalfield is applied to the liquid crystal layer including the liquidcrystal molecule and a polymerizable monomer (orientation controlmaterial). Such a manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display iscalled a polymer stabilized alignment system (PSA system).Alternatively, the step of orienting the liquid crystal molecules byapplying the predetermined electrical field is formed of a step in whichthe liquid crystal molecule is oriented and the pretilt angle isprovided by making the orientation control material react while thepredetermined electrical field is applied to the liquid crystal layer ina state that an orientation film including the polymerizable monomer(orientation control material) is formed on the electrode and on thefacing surface of at least one of the substrates. Such a manufacturingsystem of the liquid crystal display is called a field-inducedphoto-reactive alignment system (FPA system).

The pair of substrates is formed of a substrate including a pixelelectrode and a substrate including a facing electrode, and for example,the first substrate may be the substrate including the pixel electrodeand the second substrate may be the substrate including the facingelectrode. A color filter layer is formed on a side of the substrateincluding the facing electrode (second substrate), or a color filterlayer is formed on a side of the substrate including the pixel electrode(first substrate). A circuit to drive a pixel of the TFT and the like isprovided on the substrate including the pixel electrode (firstsubstrate). Meanwhile, a layer including the circuit to drive the pixelof the TFT and the like may be referred to as a “TFT layer”. In the casewhere the color filter layer is formed on the side of the substrateincluding the facing electrode (second substrate), a smoothing filmcorresponding to the foundation layer is formed on a TFT layer, and thefirst electrode is formed on the smoothing film. On the other hand, inthe case where the color filter layer is formed on the side of thesubstrate including the pixel electrode (first substrate), the colorfilter layer is formed on the TFT layer, and the first electrode isformed on the color filter layer (corresponding to foundation layer), oron an overcoat layer (corresponding to foundation layer) formed on thecolor filter layer, or a passivation film (corresponding to foundationlayer) formed of an inorganic material. In the liquid crystal display,in the case where the pixel is formed of a plurality of sub-pixels, thepixel may be replaced with the sub-pixels. The first electrode and thesecond electrode may be formed of a transparent conductive materialhaving transparency such as ITO (indium tin oxide), IZO, ZnO, and SnO.Further, the second electrode may be a so-called solid electrode(electrode not patterned). For example, a first polarizing plate ispasted on an outer surface of the first substrate and a secondpolarizing plate is pasted on an outer surface of the second substrate.The first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate are arrangedsuch that respective absorption axes are orthogonal to each other. It ispreferable to have a configuration in which the absorption axis of thefirst polarizing plate is parallel to the X-axis or the Y-axis, and theabsorption axis of the second polarizing plate is parallel to the Y-axisor the X-axis, but not limited thereto.

The liquid crystal display is irradiated by a known surface illuminationdevice (backlight). The surface illumination device may be a direct typesurface light source device, or an edge light type (also called asidelight type) surface light source device. Here, the direct typesurface light source device is formed of, for example, a light sourcearranged inside a casing, a reflection member which is arranged in aportion of the casing located under the light source and reflectsemitted light from the light source upward, and a diffusion plate whichis installed at a casing opening portion located above the light sourceand diffuses and transmits the emitted light from the light source andreflected light from the reflection member. On the other hand, the edgelight type surface light source device is formed of, for example, alight guide plate and a light source arranged on the side surface of thelight guide plate. A reflection member is arranged under the light guideplate, and a diffusion sheet and a prism sheet are arranged above thelight guide plate. The light source includes, for example, a coldcathode fluorescent lamp, and emits white light. Alternatively, thelight source is formed of, for example, a light emitting device such asan LED or a semiconductor laser device. An image can be displayed at theliquid crystal display by controlling transmission of the light from thesurface illumination device (backlight) by using the liquid crystaldisplay.

Meanwhile, depending on the orientation state of the liquid crystalmolecule, the light of the surface illumination device passes throughthe liquid crystal layer, and a portion of an pixel where contrast of animage (light transmissivity in the liquid crystal layer) becomenon-uniform may be generated. In such a case, it is preferable toprovide a light shielding region such that the light does not enter theportion related to the pixel. As the case may be, it may be possible tohave a configuration in which a wiring layer also functions as the lightshielding region.

First Work Example

A first work example relates to a liquid crystal display according to afirst aspect of the present disclosure, specifically, a liquid crystaldisplay according to a first-A aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 1is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the liquid crystaldisplay of the first work example, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of apixel 10 ₁ in a first substrate 20 when viewed from above, FIG. 5A is aschematic end face view taken along an arrow A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5Bis a schematic end face view taken along an arrow B-B in FIG. 2.

The liquid crystal display of the first work example, or the liquidcrystal displays according to second to fourteenth work examplesdescribed later are liquid crystal displays formed by arraying aplurality of pixels. The pixel includes:

the first substrate 20 and a second substrate 50;

a first electrode (pixel electrode) 120 formed on a facing surface ofthe first substrate 20 facing the second substrate 50;

a second electrode (facing electrode) 52 formed on a facing surface ofthe second substrate 50 facing the first substrate 20; and

a liquid crystal layer 60 provided between the first electrode 120 andthe second electrode 52 and including liquid crystal molecules 61, 61A,61B, 61C. The liquid crystal molecule 61 is provided with a pretiltangle, and the first electrode 120 is formed of: a foundation layer 150having a plurality of projecting portions and recessed portions; andtransparent conductive material layers 135, 145. The liquid crystalmolecule is at least provided with a pretilt angle on a side of thefirst electrode 120 and has dielectric constant anisotropy.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display of the first work example,the first transparent conductive material layer 135 connected to a firstpower feeding unit is formed on a projecting portion top surface 151 ofthe foundation layer 150. Furthermore, the second transparent conductivematerial layer 145 connected to a second power feeding unit is formed ona recessed portion bottom surface 152 of the foundation layer 150.Moreover, a transparent conductive material layer is further formed onat least a part of a side surface 153 of the foundation layer 150 thatconnects the projecting portion top surface 151 to the recessed portionbottom surface 152 of the foundation layer 150. A reference sign 20A isa portion of the first substrate 20 located between a pixel and a pixel.Inside the pixel, an entire portion of the first transparent conductivematerial layer 135 is connected, and an entire portion of the secondtransparent conductive material layer 145 is connected. Furthermore,inside the pixel, the first transparent conductive material layer 135formed on the projecting portion top surface 151 is at least partlyconnected to the second transparent conductive material layer 145 formedon the recessed portion bottom surface 152.

In the liquid crystal display of the first work example, a projectingportion 130 is formed of: a trunk projecting portion (main projectingportion) 131 that passes a pixel center portion and extends radially(for example, in a cross shape); and a plurality of branch projectingportions (sub-projecting portions) 133 that extends toward a pixelperipheral portion from the trunk projecting portion 131. Specifically,the trunk projecting portion 131 extends, for example, in parallel to anX-axis and a Y-axis described later. On the other hand, a recessedportion 140 is formed of: a trunk recessed portion (main recessedportion) 141 that is formed in the pixel peripheral portion in aframe-like shape and surrounds the projecting portion 130; and a branchrecessed portion (sub-recessed portion) 143 that extends from the trunkrecessed portion 141 and is located between the branch projectingportion 133 and the branch projecting portion 133. Meanwhile, in theschematic diagram of one pixel in the first substrate 20 when viewedfrom above, the recessed portion is indicated by thin vertical hatchingin order to clearly distinguish the projecting portion from the recessedportion. The same is applied to the following.

In the liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 2, the first powerfeeding unit and the second power feeding unit are common, and thecommon power feeding unit 136A is provided at the pixel peripheralportion. Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG.3, a first power feeding unit 1368 is provided at the pixel centerportion, and a second power feeding unit 146B is provided at the pixelperipheral portion. Furthermore, in the liquid crystal displayillustrated in FIG. 4, a first power feeding unit 136C and a secondpower feeding unit 146C are separately provided at the pixel peripheralportion. These power feeding units 136A, 136B, 146B, 136C, 146C are eachformed of an extending portion of a connecting hole 35 described later.Furthermore, the first power feeding unit 136B and the second powerfeeding unit 146B are mutually connected, and the first power feedingunit 136C and the second power feeding unit 146C are mutually connected.

In the liquid crystal display of the first work example or the liquidcrystal display of the second to fifth work examples described later, inthe case of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respectivestraight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to thepixel peripheral portion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 133, 233, 333, 433, 533occupying a first quadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which avalue of the Y-coordinate increases when a value of the X-coordinateincreases;

a plurality of branch projecting portions 133, 233, 333, 433, 533occupying a second quadrant extends in parallel in a direction in whichthe value of the Y-coordinate increases when the value of theX-coordinate decreases;

a plurality of branch projecting portions 133, 233, 333, 433, 533occupying a third quadrant extends in parallel in a direction in whichthe value of the Y-coordinate decreases when the value of theX-coordinate decreases; and

a plurality of branch projecting portions 133, 233, 333, 433, 533occupying a fourth quadrant extends in parallel in a direction in whichthe value of the Y-coordinate decreases when the value of theX-coordinate increases. By adopting such a multi-domain electrodestructure, viewing angle characteristics can be improved because regionsformed with the branch projecting portions having different extendingdirections are formed in one pixel.

Meanwhile, the plurality of branch projecting portions 133, 233, 333,433, 533 occupying the first quadrant extends forming a 45-degree anglebetween axial lines thereof and the X-axis, the plurality of branchprojecting portions 133, 233, 333, 433, 533 occupying the secondquadrant extends forming a 135-degree angle between axial lines thereofand the X-axis, the plurality of branch projecting portions 133, 233,333, 433, 533 occupying the third quadrant extends forming a 225-degreeangle between axial lines thereof and the X-axis, and the plurality ofbranch projecting portions 133, 233, 333, 433, 533 occupying the fourthquadrant extends forming a 315-degree angle between axial lines thereofand the X-axis although not intended to limit thereto.

The liquid crystal molecule 61 may have following categories: the liquidcrystal molecule 61A held by the first orientation film 21 in thevicinity of an interface with the first orientation film 21; the liquidcrystal molecule 61B held by the second orientation film 51 in thevicinity of an interface with the second orientation film 51; and theliquid crystal molecule 61C other than the mentioned liquid crystalmolecules. The liquid crystal molecule 61C is located in a middle regionin a thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 60, and alignedsuch that a long axis direction (director) of the liquid crystalmolecule 61C is substantially vertical to the first substrate 20 and thesecond substrate 50 when drive voltage is in an off state. Here, whenthe drive voltage is turned on, the director of the liquid crystalmolecule 61C is oriented in a tilting manner so as to be parallel to thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. Such behavior is causedby a property in which dielectric constant of the long axis direction issmaller than the dielectric constant of the short axis direction in theliquid crystal molecule 61C. Since the liquid crystal molecules 61A, 61Bhave a similar property, basically the behavior thereof is similar tothe liquid crystal molecule 61C in accordance with the on/off state ofthe drive voltage. However, when the drive voltage is in the off state,the liquid crystal molecule 61A is provided with a pretilt angle θ₁ bythe first orientation film 21 or provided with the pretilt angle θ₁ by apolymerizable monomer preliminarily mixed inside liquid crystal, and thedirector thereof is set in a posture tilted from a normal direction ofthe first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. In a similar manner,the liquid crystal molecule 61B is provided with a pretilt angle θ₂ bythe second orientation film 51 or provided with the pretilt angle θ₂ bya polymerizable monomer preliminarily mixed inside liquid crystal, andthe director thereof is set in a posture tilted from a normal directionof the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. Meanwhile, “held”herein means that orientation of the liquid crystal molecule 61 iscontrolled without fixing the liquid crystal molecules 61A, 61B to thefixing the orientation films 21, 51. Additionally, “pretilt angle θ (θ₁,θ₂)” indicates a tilted angle of a director D of the liquid crystalmolecule 61 (61A, 61B) relative to a Z-direction when the drive voltageis in the off state in the case of defining, as Z, a direction verticalto surfaces of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50(normal direction) as illustrated in FIG. 44A. The same is applied tovarious kinds of work examples described below.

In the liquid crystal layer 60, both of the pretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ havevalues larger than zero degrees. In the liquid crystal layer 60, thepretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ may be the same angle (θ₁=θ₂) or may also bedifferent angles (θ₁≠θ₂), but preferably, the pretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ havedifferent angles. This improves a response speed relative to applicationof drive voltage more than the response speed in a case where both ofthe pretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ are zero degrees, and also it is possible toachieve contrast substantially equal to the contrast in the case whereboth of the pretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ are zero degrees. Therefore, while theresponse characteristics are improved, a light transmission amount atthe time of black display can be reduced and the contract can beimproved. In the case where the pretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ are set todifferent angles, preferably, a larger pretilt angle θ out of thepretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ is one degree or more and four degrees or less. Bysetting the larger pretilt angle θ within the above-described range,especially high effects can be obtained. The same is applied to variouskinds of work examples described below.

A TFT layer 30 (details will be described later) is formed on the firstsubstrate 20, and the foundation layer 150 formed of an organicinsulation material, such as a photosensitive polymide resin or an acrylresin, and functioning also as a smoothing film is formed on the TFTlayer 30, and the first electrode 120 is formed on the foundation layer150. The foundation layer 150 may also be formed of an inorganicinsulation material such as SiO₂, SiN, and SiON. The same may be appliedto the various kinds of work examples described below.

An uneven portion can be obtained by, for example:

(a) forming a resist material layer on the smoothing film (or colorfilter layer) which is the foundation layer (smoothing film and colorfilter layer are collectively referred to as “smoothing film and thelike”);

(b) forming an uneven portion on the resist material layer by performinglight exposure/development;

(c) forming an uneven portion on the smoothing film and the like(foundation layer) by performing etch-back for the resist material layerand the smoothing film and the like (foundation layer); and

(d) forming a transparent conductive material layer on the smoothingfilm and the like (foundation layer) and patterning the same.

Alternatively, the uneven portion can be obtained by, for example:

(a) forming a resist material layer on the foundation layer formed on asmoothing film and the like;

(b) forming an uneven portion on the resist material layer by performinglight exposure/development;

(c) forming an uneven portion on the foundation layer by performingetch-back for the resist material layer and the foundation layer; and

(d) forming a transparent conductive material layer on the foundationlayer and patterning the same.

Alternatively, the uneven portion can be formed by:

(a) forming an insulation material layer on a smoothing film and thelike;

(b) forming a resist material layer on the insulation material layer andpatterning the resist material layer;

(c) forming a foundation layer having an uneven portion by patterningthe insulation material layer by using the resist material layer as amask for etching (recessed portion bottom surface is formed of thesmoothing film and the like, projecting portion is formed of theinsulation material layer, and foundation layer is formed of insulationmaterial layer and the smoothing film and the like); and(b) forming a transparent conductive material layer on the foundationlayer and patterning the same.

Alternatively, the uneven portion may be obtained by, for example,forming a projecting portion on a smoothing film by utilizing influenceof a thickness of a constituent element (e.g., various kinds of signallines, auxiliary capacitance electrode, gate electrode, source/drainelectrodes, various kinds of wiring) of the liquid crystal displayformed on the first substrate or above the first substrate by optimizingthe thickness of the smoothing film.

The above description related to the uneven portion can be applied tothe various kinds of work examples described below.

Preferably, a side surface (side wall) of the projecting portion, trunkprojecting portion, or branch projecting portion is a vertical surfaceas much as possible, or preferably, has a reverse tapered shape.

A first polarizing plate (not illustrated) is pasted on an outer surfaceof the first substrate 20, and a second polarizing plate (notillustrated) is pasted on an outer surface of the second substrate 50.The first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate are arrangedsuch that respective absorption axes are orthogonal to each other. Anabsorption axis of the first polarizing plate is parallel to the X-axisor the Y-axis, and an absorption axis of the second polarizing plate isparallel to the Y-axis or the X-axis. The same is applied to thefollowing work examples.

Additionally, a color filter layer (not illustrated) and a black matrix(not illustrated) are formed on the second substrate 50, the secondelectrode 52 which is a so-called solid electrode is formed thereon, andthe second orientation film 51 is formed on the second electrode 52.Furthermore, a projection image at a portion of the first substrate 20located between the pixel 10 ₁ and the pixel 10 ₁, a projection image atthe pixel peripheral portion, and a projection image at the black matrixare overlapped. The same may be applied to the various kinds of workexamples described later. The common power feeding unit 136A, secondpower feeding unit 146B, first power feeding unit 136C, and second powerfeeding unit 146C are located within the projection image at the blackmatrix.

FIG. 45 illustrates a circuit configuration in the liquid crystaldisplay illustrated in FIG. 1 or the liquid crystal displays of thevarious kinds of work examples described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 45, the liquid crystal display is formed byincluding a liquid crystal display element having a plurality of pixels10 provided inside a display area 80. In the liquid crystal display, asource driver 81, a gate driver 82, a timing controller 83 adapted tocontrol the source driver 81 and the gate driver 82, and a power circuit84 adapted to supply power the source driver 81 and the gate driver 82are provided around the display area 80.

The display area 80 is an area on which an image is displayed and alsothe area adapted to be able to display an image because the plurality ofpixels 10 is arrayed in a matrix. Meanwhile, in FIG. 45, not only thedisplay area 80 including the plurality of pixels 10 is illustrated butalso an area corresponding to four of the pixels 10 is separatelyillustrated in an enlarged manner.

In the display area 80, a plurality of source lines 91 is arrayed in arow direction and also a plurality of gate lines 92 is arrayed in acolumn direction. The pixels 10 are arranged at respective positionswhere the source lines 91 and the gate lines 92 intersect with oneanother. Each of the pixels 10 is formed by including a TFT 93 and acapacitor 94 together with the first electrode 120 and the liquidcrystal layer 60. In each TFT 93, a source electrode is connected to thesource line 91, a gate electrode is connected to the gate line 92, and adrain electrode is connected to the capacitor 94 and the first electrode120. Each of the source lines 91 is connected to the source driver 81,and an image signal is supplied from the source driver 81. Each of thegate lines 92 is connected to the gate driver 82, and a scan signal issequentially supplied from the gate driver 82.

The source driver 81 and the gate driver 82 select a specific pixel 10from among the plurality of pixels 10.

The timing controller 83 outputs, to the source driver 81, image signals(e.g., respective RGB image signals corresponding to red, green, andblue) and a source driver control signal in order to control operationof the source driver 81, for example. Furthermore, the timing controller83 outputs, to the gate driver 82, a gate driver control signal in orderto control operation of the gate driver 82. As the source driver controlsignal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a start pulse signal, aclock signal for the source driver, or the like may be exemplified. Asthe gate driver control signal, a vertical synchronization signal, aclock signal for the gate driver, and the like are exemplified.

In manufacturing the liquid crystal display of the first work example,first the TFT is formed on the basis of a method described below, andthen the transparent conductive material layers 135, 145 made of ITO areformed on the facing surface of the first substrate 20 on whichfoundation layer 150 is formed. The first substrate 20 is formed of aglass substrate having a thickness of 0.7 mm.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 46A, a gate electrode 31 isformed on an insulation film 20′ formed on the first substrate 20, and agate insulation layer 32 is formed on the gate electrode 31 and theinsulation film 20′. The gate insulation layer 32 is formed of, forexample, SiO₂, SiN, SiON, and metal oxide. Next, a semiconductor layer33 to be a channel forming region is formed on the gate insulation layer32, and then a source/drain electrodes 34 are formed on thesemiconductor layer 33. The semiconductor layer 33 is formed of, forexample, polysilicon or amorphous silicon, and the source/drainelectrodes 34 is formed of metal films such as titanium, chromium,aluminum, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, and copper, or formed of analloy film thereof or a stacking film thereof. Thus, the TFT layer 30can be obtained. The above-described TFT layer 30 may be formed on thebasis of a known method. Meanwhile, the TFT is not limited to aso-called bottom gate/top contact type, and a bottom gate/bottom contacttype may also be applied, a top gate/top contact type may also beapplied, and a top gate/bottom contact type may also be applied.

After that, the foundation layer 150 having a thickness of 2.5 μm isformed on an entire surface, and then the connecting hole 35 is formedat the foundation layer 150 located above one of the source/drainelectrodes 34. A bottom portion of the connecting hole 35 is exposed tothe one of the source/drain electrodes 34. Next, after the resistmaterial layer is formed on the foundation layer 150, an uneven portionhaving a predetermined depth is formed on the resist material layer byperforming light exposure/development. Furthermore, an uneven portion121 is formed on the foundation layer 150 by performing etch-back forthe resist material layer and the foundation layer 150.

Alternatively, after that, a smoothing film is formed on an entiresurface, and then the connecting hole 35 is formed on the smoothing filmlocated above the one of the source/drain electrodes 34. A bottomportion of the connecting hole 35 is exposed to the one of thesource/drain electrodes 34. Then, an insulation material layer is formedon the smoothing film including the inside of the connecting hole 35,and additionally a resist material layer is formed on the insulationmaterial layer. The resist material layer to form an uneven portionextends through the inside of the connecting hole 35. After that, theresist material layer is patterned by performing lightexposure/development for the resist material layer. Then, the unevenportion 121 may be formed on the foundation layer 150 by removing theresist material layer by performing etching for the insulation materiallayer by using the resist material layer as a mask for etching. Therecessed portion bottom surface 152 is formed of the smoothing film, theprojecting portion is formed of the insulation material layer, and thefoundation layer 150 is formed of the smoothing film and the insulationmaterial layer. The uneven portion 121 of the foundation layer 150extends through the inside of the connecting hole 35, and is formed upto the one of the source/drain electrodes 34 exposed to the bottomportion of the connecting hole 35.

After that, the uneven portion 121 (projecting portion 130 and recessedportion 140) can be obtained on the entire surface by forming thetransparent conductive material layer 135, 145 formed of ITO and havinga predetermined thickness. The transparent conductive material layersextend up to the one of the source/drain electrodes 34 exposed to thebottom portion of the connecting hole 35. Furthermore, the firstelectrode 120 may be provided in a matrix by patterning the transparentconductive material layers 135, 145 on the basis of a known method.Specification of the projecting portion 130, the recessed portion 140,and the like are as shown in Table 1.

On the other hand, on the second substrate 50, a color filter layer (notillustrated) is formed on the second substrate 50 made of a glasssubstrate having a thickness of 0.7 mm, and the second electrode 52 of aso-called solid electrode is formed on the color filter layer.

TABLE 1 Average height of projecting portion 0.4 μm Forming pitch ofprojecting portion 5.0 μm Width of projecting portion 2.5 μm Width ofrecessed portion 2.5 μm Thickness of transparent conductive materiallayer 0.1 μm Inclination angle of side surface of branch projectingportion 90 degrees Average film thickness of first orientation film 0.1μm Average film thickness of second orientation film 0.1 μm T₂/T₁ 1

After that, the first orientation film 21 is formed on the firstelectrode 120, and the second orientation film 51 is formed on thesecond electrode 52. Specifically, an orientation film material iscoated or printed on each of the first electrode 120 and the secondelectrode 52, and heating process is applied. As the orientation filmmaterial, JALS2131-R6, which is a vertical orientation film material andmanufactured by JSR Corporation, is used. A temperature of the heatingprocessing is, preferably, 80° C. or more, and more preferably, 150° C.or more and 200° C. or less. Also, a heating temperature may be changedstepwisely in the heating processing. Consequently, solvent included inthe coated or printed orientation film material is evaporated, and theorientation films 21, 51 including high-molecular compounds are formed.After that, processing such as rubbing may be applied, if necessary.More specifically, as the first orientation film 21 and the secondorientation film 51, the vertical orientation film material is coated onthe first electrode 120 and the second electrode 52 on the basis of aspin coating method. Then, 60-minute baking is performed at 200° C.after a 80-second drying step is performed on a hot plate at 80° C., andthe first orientation film 21 and the second orientation film 51 areobtained.

Next, the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 are arrangedsuch that the orientation film 21 and the orientation film 51 face eachother, and the liquid crystal layer 60 including the liquid crystalmolecule 61 is sealed between the orientation film 21 and theorientation film 51. Specifically, spacer protruding objects adapted tosecure a cell gap, such as a plastic beads each having a diameter 3.0 μmand the like, are dispersed on a surface formed with the orientationfilms 21, 51 on either one of the first substrate 20 and the secondsubstrate 50, and on the other hand, a sealing portion is formed bycoating an ultraviolet cured resin including a silica particle having aparticle diameter of 3.5 μm to an outer edge on the second substrate 50by, for example, a screen printing method. Then, a liquid crystalmaterial in which a negative liquid crystal is mixed with 0.3 mass % ofthe polymerizable monomer (specifically, acryl monomer, A-BP-2Emanufactured by Shin Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) corresponding to theorientation control material is dropped and injected into a portionsurrounded by the sealing portion. This kind of manufacturing method ofthe liquid crystal display is called a PSA method. After that, the firstsubstrate 20 and the second substrate 50 are pasted each other, and thesealing portion is cured under the conditions such as 120° C. for onehour. Thus, the liquid crystal layer 60 is sealed. Next, voltage isapplied between the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 52 byusing a voltage application means. The voltage is, for example, 3 to 30volts, specifically, a square-wave alternating electric field of 7-volteffective value voltage (60 Hz). At the same time, heating processing isapplied in order to make the polymerizable monomer react although itdepends on a used polymerizable monomer, or ultraviolet is emitted (forexample, uniform ultraviolet of 10 J (measured at a wavelength 360 nm).Consequently, the electrical field (electric field) in a directionforming a predetermined angle relative to the surfaces of the firstsubstrate 20 and the second substrate 50 is generated, and the liquidcrystal molecule 61 is oriented in a manner tilted in a predetermineddirection from the vertical direction of the first substrate 20 and thesecond substrate 50. In other words, an azimuth angle (deviation angle)of the liquid crystal molecule 61 at this point is determined byintensity and direction of the electrical field and the polymerizablemonomer mixed inside the liquid crystal, and a polar angle (zenithangle) is determined by the intensity of the electrical field and thepolymerizable monomer mixed inside the liquid crystal. Therefore, bysuitably adjusting a value of the voltage, the values of the pretiltangles θ₁, θ₂ of the liquid crystal molecules 61A, 61B can becontrolled. An oblique electric field is added between the firstsubstrate 20 and the second substrate 50 by the uneven portion 121formed on the first electrode 120. Also, a high-molecular layer isformed by reaction of the polymerizable monomer mixed inside the liquidcrystal in the vicinity of the facing surface of the substrate.Additionally, a direction in which the liquid crystal molecule 61 is toreact is determined by the high-molecular layer thus formed, and thepretilted state of the liquid crystal molecule 61 in the vicinity of thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 is fixed by a reactionproduct of the polymerizable monomer. As described above, a liquidcrystal cell is completed.

On the other hand, the orientation film having a function to store thepretilt angle is coated and formed on at least one of the electrodes,and then in the FPA method in which negative liquid crystal is injectedfor sealing, the sealing portion is formed, and subsequently a liquidcrystal material formed of the negative liquid crystal is dropped andinjected into the portion surrounded by the sealing portion. Then, thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 are pasted each other,and the sealing portion is cured by using ultraviolet having awavelength of 410 nm. Next, voltage is applied between the firstelectrode 120 and the second electrode 52 by using a voltage applicationmeans. The voltage is, for example, 3 to 30 volts, specifically, asquare-wave alternating electric field of 7-volt effective value voltage(60 Hz). Consequently, the electrical field (electric field) in adirection forming a predetermined angle relative to the surfaces of thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 is generated, and theliquid crystal molecule 61 is oriented in a manner tilted in apredetermined direction from the vertical direction of the firstsubstrate 20 and the second substrate 50. In other words, the azimuthangle (deviation angle) of the liquid crystal molecule 61 at this pointis determined by intensity, a direction of the electrical field and amolecular structure of the orientation film material, and the polarangle (zenith angle) is determined by the intensity of the electricalfield and the molecular structure of the orientation film material.Therefore, by suitably adjusting a value of the voltage, the values ofthe pretilt angles θ₁, θ₂ of the liquid crystal molecules 61A, 61B canbe controlled. Then, an energy line (specifically, ultraviolet UV) suchas uniform ultraviolet (measured at the wavelength 360 nm) of 10 J isemitted to the orientation films 21, 51 from, for example, the outsideof the first substrate 20 while voltage is kept applied. In other words,the ultraviolet is emitted while an electrical field or a magnetic fieldis applied such that the liquid crystal molecule 61 is aligned in anoblique direction relative to the surfaces of the pair of the substrates20, 50. Consequently, a crosslinkable functional group or apolymerizable functional group included in the polymerizable monomer(orientation control material) inside the orientation films 21, 51 ismade to react and crosslinked. An oblique electric field is addedbetween the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 by the unevenportion 121 formed on the first electrode 120. Thus, the direction inwhich the liquid crystal molecule 61 is to respond is stored by thehigh-molecular compound obtained by polymerizing the polymerizablemonomer, and the pretilt angle is provided to the liquid crystalmolecule 61 in the vicinity of the orientation films 21 and 51.Furthermore, as a result thereof, the liquid crystal molecules 61A, 61Blocated in the vicinity of the interfaces with the orientation films 21,51 in the liquid crystal layer 60 are provided with the pretilt anglesθ₁, θ₂ in a non-driving state. As the ultraviolet UV, ultravioletincluding a large amount of optical components having a wavelength ofabout 295 nm to 365 nm is preferable. In the case of using ultravioletincluding a large amount of optical components of a short wavelengthband shorter than the mentioned wavelength band, the liquid crystalmolecule 61 may be optically decomposed and deteriorated. Meanwhile, atthis point, the ultraviolet UV is emitted from the outside of the firstsubstrate 20, but the ultraviolet UV may also be emitted from theoutside of the second substrate 50, or may be emitted from the outsideof both substrates of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate50. In this case, preferably, the ultraviolet UV is emitted from a sideof one of the substrates having higher light transmissivity.Additionally, in the case of emitting the ultraviolet UV from theoutside of the second substrate 50, crosslink reaction may becomedifficult because the ultraviolet is absorbed to the color filter layerdepending on the wavelength band of the ultraviolet UV. Therefore,preferably, the ultraviolet is emitted from the outside of the firstsubstrate 20 (on the side of the substrate having the pixel electrode).

As described above, the pretilt angle is provided to the liquid crystalmolecule 61 by making the polymerizable monomer (orientation controlmaterial) constituting at least the first orientation film 21 reactwhile the predetermined electrical field is kept applied to the liquidcrystal layer 60 (FPA method). Alternatively, the pretilt angle isprovided to the liquid crystal molecule 61 by making the polymerizablemonomer (orientation control material) included in the liquid crystallayer 60 while the predetermined electrical field is kept applied to theliquid crystal layer 60 (PSA method).

In the case of setting an average film thickness of the firstorientation film 21 as T₁ and an average film thickness of the secondorientation film 51 as T₂, preferably 0.5≤T₂/T₁≤1.5 is satisfied, anddesirably 0.8≤T₂/T₁≤1.2 is satisfied. Thus, by determining the value ofT₂/T₁, specifically, by making the average film thickness of the firstorientation film 21 and the average film thickness of the secondorientation film 51 equal or almost equal, occurrence of imagepersistence and the like cab be surely avoided.

The liquid crystal display (liquid crystal display element) illustratedin FIG. 1, in which the liquid crystal molecules 61A on the sides of thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 are provided with pretiltangles, can be completed in accordance with the above-describedprocesses. Finally, the pair of the polarizing plates (not illustrated)is pasted to the outside of the liquid crystal display such that theabsorption axes thereof become orthogonal to each other. Meanwhile, theliquid crystal displays of the various kinds of work examples describedlater can be also manufactured by a substantially same method.

In operation of the liquid crystal display (liquid crystal displayelement), when drive voltage is applied to a selected pixel 10, anorientation state of the liquid crystal molecule 61 included in theliquid crystal layer 60 is changed in accordance with a potentialdifference between the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 52.Specifically, in the liquid crystal layer 60, the liquid crystalmolecules 61A, 61B located in the vicinities of the orientation films21, 51 is rotated and fall from a state before applying the drivevoltage illustrated in FIG. 1 in an own tilting direction by applyingdrive voltage, and further such operation is transmitted to anotherliquid crystal molecule 61C. As a result, the liquid crystal molecule 61responds so as to take a posture substantially horizontal (parallel) tothe first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. Consequently,optical characteristics of the liquid crystal layer 60 is changed,incident light to the liquid crystal display element is changed tomodulated emitted light, and an image is displayed by gradationexpression on the basis of this emitted light.

In this liquid crystal display, an image is displayed by applying thedrive voltage between the first electrode (pixel electrode) 120 and thesecond electrode (facing electrode) 52 in the following procedure.Specifically, the source driver 81 receives a source driver controlsignal from the timing controller 83, thereby supplying an individualimage signal to a predetermined source line 91 on the basis of an imagesignal also received from the same timing controller 83. At the sametime, the gate driver 82 sequentially supplies a scan signal to the gateline 92 at predetermined timing by receipt of the gate driver controlsignal from the timing controller 83. Consequently, a pixel 10 locatedat an intersecting position between the source line 91 supplied with theimage signal and the gate line 92 supplied with the scan signal isselected, and drive voltage is applied to the pixel 10.

The color filter layer may also be formed on the first substrate 20.Specifically, as described above, after forming the TFT layer 30 on thefirst substrate 20, the color filter layer 22 is formed on the TFT layer30 instead of the foundation layer 150 on the basis of the known method.Thus, a color filter on array (COA) structure can be obtained. Then,after forming the connecting hole 35 on the color filter layer 22located above one of the source/drain electrodes 34, an uneven portionmay be formed on the color filter layer 22 including the connecting hole35, and additionally the first electrode 120 (transparent conductivematerial layers 135, 145) may be formed (refer to FIG. 46B).

In the liquid crystal display of the first work example, the firsttransparent conductive material layer connected to the first powerfeeding unit is formed on the projecting portion top surface of thefoundation layer, and the second transparent conductive material layerconnected to the second power feeding unit is formed on the recessedportion bottom surface of the foundation layer. Therefore, voltage canbe surely applied to the first transparent conductive material layer andthe second transparent conductive material layer. Therefore, qualitydeterioration of a displayed image can be surely prevented.

Second Work Example

A second work example is a modification of the first work example andrelates to a liquid crystal display according to the first-B aspect ofthe present disclosure. A schematic diagram of a pixel 10 ₂ in the firstsubstrate 20 constituting the liquid crystal display of the second workexample when viewed from above is illustrated in FIG. 6, a schematic endface view taken along an arrow A-A in FIG. 6 is illustrated in FIG. 18A,and a schematic end face view taken along an arrow B-B in FIG. 6 isillustrated in FIG. 18B. The liquid crystal display of the second workexample illustrated in FIG. 6 is a modification of the liquid crystaldisplay of the first work example illustrated in FIG. 2, but not limitedthereto, the liquid crystal display may also modifications of the liquidcrystal display of the first work example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the liquid crystal display of the second work example, a projectingportion 230 is formed of: a trunk projecting portion 231 formed in thepixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape; and a plurality ofbranch projecting portions 233 that extends from the trunk projectingportion 231 toward the inside of the pixel, and a recessed portion 240is formed of: a trunk recessed portion 241 that passes the pixel centerportion and radially extends (for example, in a cross shape); and abranch recessed portion 243 that extends from the trunk recessed portion241 toward the pixel peripheral portion and is located between a branchprojecting portion 233 and a branch projecting portion 233.Specifically, the trunk recessed portion 241 extends, for example, inparallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis described later.

A schematic partial end face view of the liquid crystal display of thesecond work example is substantially the same as FIG. 1. Except for theabove-described points, the liquid crystal display of the second workexample may have a constitution and a structure similar to the liquidcrystal display of the first work example, and therefore, detaileddescription will be omitted.

Third Work Example

A third work example relates to a liquid crystal display according to asecond aspect and a third aspect of the present disclosure. Asillustrated in a schematic diagram of FIG. 7 illustrating a pixel 10 ₃in a first substrate 20 constituting a liquid crystal display of thethird work example when viewed from above and also as illustrated in aschematic end face view of FIG. 18C taken along an arrow A-A in FIG. 7,in the liquid crystal display of the third work example,

a first transparent conductive material layer 135 is formed on aprojecting portion top surface 151 of a foundation layer 150,

a second transparent conductive material layer 145 connected to thefirst transparent conductive material layer 135 is formed on a recessedportion bottom surface 152 of the foundation layer 150,

a projecting portion 330 is formed of a trunk projecting portion 331that passes a pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, ina cross shape) and a plurality of branch projecting portions 333 thatextends toward a pixel peripheral portion from the trunk projectingportion 331,a recessed portion 340 extends from the trunk projecting portion 331 andis located between a branch projecting portion 333 and a branchprojecting portion 333, anda narrowest portion exists in the recessed portion 340 (specifically, awidth of the recessed portion 340 is narrowest at a portion where therecessed portion 340 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion331 (in FIG. 7, indicated by a region 344 surrounded by a round shape)),or a region where a level difference between the recessed portion 340and the projecting portion 330 becomes smallest exists (specifically,the level difference between the recessed portion and the projectingportion becomes smallest at a portion 344 where the recessed portion 340starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 331). The portionwhere the recessed portion 340 starts extending from the trunkprojecting portion 331 is formed on the basis of, for example,resolution limit design in a photo-lithography technique as describedlater. Meanwhile, specifically, the trunk projecting portion 331extends, for example, in parallel to an X-axis and a Y-axis.

Note that reference sign 136D indicates a power feeding unit provided atthe pixel center portion and connected to the first transparentconductive material layer 135 in the trunk projecting portion 331.Additionally, in the liquid crystal displays of a third work example orfourth to fifth work examples described later, the first transparentconductive material layer 135 formed on the trunk projecting portion isconnected to the power feeding unit. Meanwhile, in the power feedingunit 136D or in the vicinity thereof, light from a surface illuminationdevice passes through a liquid crystal layer 60 depending on anorientation state of a liquid crystal molecule 61, and contrast of animage (light transmissivity in the liquid crystal layer) may becomenon-uniform. In such a case, it is preferable to provide a lightshielding region such that the light does not enter the power feedingunit 136D or the vicinity thereof. As the case may be, it may also bepossible to have a configuration in which a wiring layer also functionsas the light shielding region.

A schematic partial end face view of the liquid crystal display of thethird work example is substantially the same as FIG. 1. Except for theabove-described points, the liquid crystal display of the third workexample may have a constitution and a structure similar to a liquidcrystal display of a first work example, and therefore, detaileddescription will be omitted.

When etching is performed in order to form an uneven portion on thefoundation layer 150, a phenomenon called micro-loading effect occurs.In this phenomenon, an etching rate is reduced when an aspect ratio of aprocess pattern (ratio between a pattern size and a depth) is increased.The width of the recessed portion 340 is narrowest at the portion 344where the recessed portion 340 starts extending from the trunkprojecting portion 331. Therefore, the depth of the recessed portion 340is smallest at the portion 344 where the recessed portion 340 startsextending from the trunk projecting portion 331. As a result, in theportion 344 where the recessed portion 340 starts extending from thetrunk projecting portion 331, the first transparent conductive materiallayer 135 formed on the trunk projecting portion top surface 151 and thesecond transparent conductive material layer 145 formed on the recessedportion bottom surface 152 can be set in a surely connected statewithout generating any disconnection. Therefore, quality deteriorationof a displayed image can be surely prevented. The same is applied to thefourth to fifth work examples described below.

Alternatively, when etching is performed in order to form the unevenportion on the foundation layer 150, a resist material layer is formedon the foundation layer 150, and light exposure and development areperformed on the basis of a photo-lithography technique using thisresist material layer as a photomask are performed. At this point, aphotomask having a halftone structure is applied to a photomask portionin order to form, on the foundation layer 150, the uneven portioncorresponding to the portion 344 where the recessed portion 340 startsextending from the trunk projecting portion 331. Since light exposureand development is performed for the resist material layer by using thephotomask having the halftone structure, there is no level difference orthere is just a little level difference in the uneven portion of thefoundation layer corresponding to the portion 344 where the recessedportion 344 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 331.Therefore, in the portion 344 where the recessed portion 340 startsextending from the trunk projecting portion 331, the first transparentconductive material layer 135 formed on the trunk projecting portion topsurface 151 and the second transparent conductive material layer 145formed on the recessed portion bottom surface 152 can be set in a surelyconnected state without generating any disconnection. Therefore, qualitydeterioration of a displayed image can be surely prevented. The same isapplied to the fourth to fifth work examples described below.

In the third work example, the width of the recessed portion 340 is thenarrowest at the portion where the recessed portion 340 starts extendingfrom the trunk projecting portion 331 (indicated by the region 344surrounded by the round shape in FIG. 7). In other words, it can be saidthat the width of the branch projecting portion 333 is widest at aportion 333 a of the branch projecting portion jointed to the trunkprojecting portion 331, and the width becomes narrower (specifically,becomes linearly narrower) toward a distal end portion 333 b from theportion 333 a jointed to the trunk projecting portion 331. A schematicplan view in which a portion of a first electrode of one pixelconstituting the liquid crystal display of the third work example isenlarged is illustrated in FIG. 8.

At the time of manufacturing the liquid crystal display, a pretilt angleis provided to a liquid crystal molecule in a state that voltage isapplied to an electrode. At this point, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and9B, a liquid crystal molecule A located at a distal end edge portion aor vicinity thereof (conveniently referred to as “distal end region”)has a long axis direction (director) thereof tilted toward the trunkprojecting portion. Then, in the liquid crystal layer, in the case ofassuming a region in a thickness direction including the liquid crystalmolecule A, movement of the liquid crystal molecule A is transmitted toliquid crystal molecules in an entire pixel (conveniently referred to as“liquid crystal molecules A′”) excluding an edge portion of the branchprojecting portion that receives influence of a local electrical fieldcaused by the structure, and directors of the liquid crystal moleculesA′ are tilted toward the trunk projecting portion. Here, movement of theliquid crystal molecule A is more easily transmitted to the liquidcrystal molecules A′ or movement of the liquid crystal molecule A istransmitted to the liquid crystal molecules A′ in a shorter time in aliquid crystal display having tapered branch projecting portions asillustrated in FIG. 9A than in a liquid crystal display havingnon-tapered branch projecting portions as illustrated in FIG. 9B.Meanwhile, in FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B, a portion of the trunk projectingportion 331 located between a portion of the trunk projecting portion331 from where a branch projecting portion 333 extends and a portion ofthe trunk projecting portion 331 from where a branch projecting portion333 extends (indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B) isillustrated non-parallel to the X-axis for the Y-axis, but actually,this portion is parallel to the X-axis for the Y-axis.

In the case of applying voltage to an electrode at the time ofdisplaying an image on the liquid crystal display, the directors of theliquid crystal molecules are changed to be parallel to the firstsubstrate and the second substrate in the entire liquid crystal layer.In FIGS. 9A and 9B, directions of electrical fields in a side edgeportion are indicated by outlined arrows. Here, in the case of assuminga column shape region in a thickness direction in the liquid crystallayer including a liquid crystal molecule B located at a side edgeportion b or in the vicinity thereof (conveniently referred to as “sideedge region”), liquid crystal molecules aligned in the thicknessdirection inside the column shape region are rotated. In other words,directions of directors of the liquid crystal molecules B located in theside edge region differ from directions of directors of liquid crystalmolecules B′ (conveniently referred to as “liquid crystal molecule B′)aligned in the thickness direction inside the column shape regionincluding the liquid crystal molecule B. An angle formed between thedirectors of these liquid crystal molecules B and the directors of theliquid crystal molecules B′ is defined as β. Here, as illustrated inFIG. 9B, in the liquid crystal display having the non-tapered branchprojecting portions, a rotation angle range of the liquid crystalmolecule is large (specifically, the angle β is large). Therefore, aproportion of the liquid crystal molecules having retardation in theX-axis for the Y-axis may be small. On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG. 9A, in the liquid crystal display having the tapered branchprojecting portion, a rotation angle range of the liquid crystalmolecule is small (specifically, the angle β is small). Therefore, theproportion of the liquid crystal molecules having retardation in theX-axis for the Y-axis may be large. Therefore, non-uniform lighttransmissivity is not caused at the branch projecting portions, andgeneration of dark line can be more surely suppressed.

In a fine slit structure in the related art, an electrical field cannotinfluence a liquid crystal molecule at a slit not provided with anelectrode, and the liquid crystal molecule is hardly oriented in adesired direction (hardly falls). Therefore, a dark line is generatedcorresponding to the slit, and light transmissivity is degraded. In thethird work example, the liquid crystal molecules are influenced by theelectrical field in an entire area inside a pixel. Therefore, there isno phenomenon like generation of dark line in the fine slit structure.Additionally, in the fine slit structure in the related art, an arearatio between the electrode and the slit largely influences the lighttransmissivity. In contrast, in the third work example, such a problemdoes not occur because there is no slit.

As described above, in the liquid crystal display of the third workexample, a plurality of uneven portions is formed in the first electrodeand the width of the branch projecting portion provided at the firstelectrode becomes narrower toward the distal end portion. Therefore,generation of dark line can be more reduced. In other words, moreuniform light transmissivity can be achieved, and more excellent voltageresponse characteristic can be obtained. Furthermore, since improvementof initial orientation can be expected, time to provide a pretilt angleto the liquid crystal molecule can be shortened at the time of providingthe pretilt angle to the liquid crystal molecule by emitting uniformultraviolet in a state that a square-wave alternating electric field isapplied to a liquid crystal cell as described above. Also, sincereduction of orientation failure can be expected, yield is improved andmanufacturing cost for the liquid crystal display can be reduced.Moreover, since the light transmissivity can be improved, powerconsumption of backlight can be reduced and reliability of a TFT can beimproved. In the fourth work example also, the width of the branchprojecting portion 433 is widest at a portion 433 a of the branchprojecting portion jointed to a trunk projecting portion 431, andbecomes narrower toward a distal end portion 433 b from the portion 433a jointed to the trunk projecting portion 431, and the above-describeddiscussion is established.

Meanwhile, the liquid crystal display of the third work exampleillustrated in FIG. 7 is the liquid crystal display obtained bycombining the second aspect and the third aspect of the presentdisclosure, but in the third work example, the liquid crystal displayaccording to the third aspect of the present disclosure can besingularly applied. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a pixelon the first substrate constituting a liquid crystal display in whichthe liquid crystal display according to the third aspect of the presentdisclosure is singularly applied when viewed from above. In the liquidcrystal display exemplified in FIG. 10, the width of the recessedportion 340 is constant. However, the level difference between therecessed portion 340 and the trunk projecting portion 331 is smallest atthe portion 344 where the recessed portion 340 starts extending from thetrunk projecting portion 331. Furthermore, in a liquid crystal displayexemplified in FIG. 11, the width of the portion 344 where the recessedportion 340 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 331 iswider than the example illustrated in FIG. 7. The liquid crystal displayof the third work example may also be combined with that of the firstwork example.

Fourth Work Example

A fourth work example relates to liquid crystal displays according to afourth aspect and a fifth aspects of the present disclosure,specifically, liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-A aspect anda fifth-A aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated in aschematic diagram of FIG. 12 or 13 illustrating a pixel 10 ₄ in a firstsubstrate 20 constituting a liquid crystal display of the fourth workexample when viewed from above, in the liquid crystal display of thefourth work example,

a first transparent conductive material layer 135 is formed on aprojecting portion top surface 151 of a foundation layer 150,

a second transparent conductive material layer 145 connected to thefirst transparent conductive material layer 135 is formed on a recessedportion bottom surface 152 of the foundation layer 150,

a projecting portion 430 is formed of a trunk projecting portion 431formed in a pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape and aplurality of branch projecting portions 433 that extends from the trunkprojecting portion 431 toward the inside of the pixel, a recessedportion 440 extends from the trunk projecting portion and is locatedbetween a branch projecting portion 433 and a branch projecting portion433, anda narrowest portion exists in the recessed portion 44 (specifically, awidth of the recessed portion 440 is narrowest at a portion where therecessed portion 440 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion431 (in FIG. 12, indicated by a region 444 surrounded by a roundshape)), or a region where a level difference between the recessedportion 440 and the projecting portion 430 is smallest exists(specifically, the level difference between the recessed portion and theprojecting portion is smallest at a portion 444 where the recessedportion 440 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 431, orthe level difference between the recessed portion and the projectingportion is smallest at the portion 444 where the recessed portion 440starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 431). The schematicend face view taken along an arrow A-A in FIG. 12 is similar to the oneillustrated in FIG. 18C.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display of the fourth work example,the projecting portion 430 further includes a second trunk projectingportion 432 that passes a pixel center portion and radially extends fromthe trunk projecting portion 431 (for example, in a cross shape), and isconnected to the branch projecting portions 433. Reference sign 136Eindicates a power feeding unit provided at the pixel center portion andconnected to the first transparent conductive material layer 135 in thesecond trunk projecting portion 432. Specifically, the second trunkprojecting portion 432 extends, for example, in parallel to an X-axisand a Y-axis.

A schematic partial end face view of the liquid crystal display of thefourth work example is substantially the same as FIG. 1. Except for theabove-described points, the liquid crystal display of the fourth workexample may have a constitution and a structure similar to a liquidcrystal display of a first work example, and therefore, detaileddescription will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the liquid crystal display of the fourth work exampleillustrated in FIG. 12 is the liquid crystal display obtained bycombining the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure, but in the fourth work example, the liquid crystal displayaccording to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure can besingularly applied. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a pixelon the first substrate constituting a liquid crystal display in whichthe liquid crystal display according to the fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure is singularly applied when viewed from above. In the liquidcrystal display exemplified in FIG. 13, the width of the recessedportion 440 is constant. However, the level difference between therecessed portion 440 and the trunk projecting portion 431 is smallest atthe portion 444 where the recessed portion 440 starts extending from thetrunk projecting portion 431. Furthermore, in a liquid crystal displayexemplified in FIG. 14, the width of the portion 444 where the recessedportion 440 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 431 iswider than the example illustrated in FIG. 12. The liquid crystaldisplay of the fourth work example may be combined with that of thefirst work example.

Fifth Work Example

A fifth work example is a modification of the fourth work example andrelates to liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-B aspect and afifth-B aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated in a schematicdiagram of FIG. 15 illustrating a pixel 10 ₅ in the first substrate 20constituting the liquid crystal display of the fifth example when viewedfrom above, in the liquid crystal display of the fifth work example, arecessed portion 540 is formed of a trunk recessed portion 541 thatpasses a pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in across shape) and a branch recessed portion 543 that extends from thetrunk recessed portion 541 toward a trunk projecting portion 531 and islocated between a branch projecting portion 533 and a branch projectingportion 533. Specifically, the trunk recessed portion 541 extends, forexample, in parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis described later. Awidth of the branch recessed portion 543 is narrowest at a portion wherethe branch recessed portion 543 starts extending from the trunkprojecting portion 531 (indicated by a region 544 surrounded by a roundshape in FIG. 15). Alternatively, a level difference between therecessed portion and the projecting portion is smallest at the portion544 where the recessed portion 540 starts extending from the trunkprojecting portion 531. The schematic end face view taken along an arrowA-A in FIG. 15 is similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 18A.Additionally, illustration of a power feeding unit is omitted. Note thatreference signs 530, 630, 730, 830 indicate projecting portions.

A schematic partial end face view of the liquid crystal display of thefifth work example is substantially the same as FIG. 1. Except for theabove-described points, the liquid crystal display of the fifth workexample may have a constitution and a structure similar to a liquidcrystal display of a first work example, and therefore, detaileddescription will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the liquid crystal display of the fifth work exampleillustrated in FIG. 15 is the liquid crystal display obtained bycombining the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect of the presentdisclosure, but in the fifth work example also, the liquid crystaldisplay according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure can besingularly applied. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating thepixel on the first substrate constituting the liquid crystal display inwhich the liquid crystal display according to the fifth aspect of thepresent disclosure is singularly applied when viewed from above. In theliquid crystal display exemplified in FIG. 16, the width of the recessedportion 540 is constant. However, the level difference between therecessed portion 540 and the trunk projecting portion 531 is smallest atthe portion 544 where the recessed portion 540 starts extending from thetrunk projecting portion 531. Furthermore, in a liquid crystal displayexemplified in FIG. 17, the width of the portion 544 where the recessedportion 540 starts extending from the trunk projecting portion 531 iswider than the example illustrated in FIG. 15. The liquid crystaldisplays of the fifth work example and the first work example may alsobe combined.

Sixth Work Example

A sixth work example is a modification of the fourth to fifth workexamples and relates to liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-Caspect and a fifth-C aspect of the present disclosure. A schematicdiagram of a pixel 10 ₆ in the first substrate 20 constituting theliquid crystal display of the sixth work example when viewed from aboveis illustrated in FIG. 19. A schematic partial end face view of theliquid crystal display of the sixth work example is substantially thesame as FIG. 1.

In the liquid crystal displays of the sixth work example, in the case ofassuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respective straight linespassing the pixel center portion and parallel to the pixel peripheralportion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 633 occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of Y-coordinateincreases when a value of X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 633 occupying a secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 633 occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 633 occupying a fourthquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,

the branch projecting portion 633 extending from a trunk projectingportion 631 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrantand the branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 631 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying thefourth quadrant are formed in a connected state;the branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunk projectingportion 631 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrantand the branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 631 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying thesecond quadrant are formed in a connected state;the branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunk projectingportion 631 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrantand the branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 631 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the thirdquadrant are formed in a connected state; andthe branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunk projectingportion 631 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrantand the branch projecting portion 633 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 631 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying thefourth quadrant are formed in a connected state. In other words, in theliquid crystal display of the sixth work example, neither a second trunkprojecting portion nor a trunk recessed portion is provided differentfrom the liquid crystal displays according to the fourth and fifth workexamples.

The plurality of branch projecting portions 633 occupying the firstquadrant extends forming a 45-degree angle between axial lines thereofand the X-axis, the plurality of branch projecting portions 633occupying the second quadrant extends forming a 135-degree angle betweenaxial lines thereof and the X-axis, the plurality of branch projectingportions 633 occupying the third quadrant extends forming a 225-degreeangle between axial lines thereof and the X-axis, and the plurality ofbranch projecting portions 633 occupying the fourth quadrant extendsforming a 315-degree angle between axial lines thereof and the X-axis.The branch projecting portions 633 are line-symmetric with respect tothe X-axis, and also line-symmetric with respect to the Y-axis, andfurthermore rotationally symmetric (point-symmetric) at 180 degrees withrespect to the center of the pixel 10 ₆. Additionally, a planar shape ofthe branch projecting portion 633 is a “V” shape.

Specification of the branch projecting portion 633 and the recessedportion 340 are as shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Height of branch projecting portion 0.2 μm Forming pitch ofbranch projecting portion 5.0 μm Average width of branch projectingportion 2.5 μm Average of recessed portion 2.5 μm

In the liquid crystal display of the sixth work example, the pluralityof branch projecting portions 633 occupying the first quadrant extendsin parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases, the plurality ofbranch projecting portions 633 occupying the second quadrant extends inparallel in a direction in which the value of the Y-coordinate increaseswhen the value of the X-coordinate decreases, the plurality of branchprojecting portions 633 occupying the third quadrant extends in parallelin a direction in which the value of the Y-coordinate decreases when thevalue of the X-coordinate decreases, and the plurality of branchprojecting portions 633 occupying a fourth quadrant extends in parallelin a direction in which the value of the Y-coordinate decreases when thevalue of the X-coordinate increases. In other words, a portion of thebranch projecting portion extending in parallel to the X-axis or aportion of the branch projecting portion extending in parallel to theY-axis do not exist except for a root portion of the branch projectingportion 633. Here, an absorption axis of a first polarizing plate isparallel to the X-axis or the Y-axis, and an absorption axis of a secondpolarizing plate is parallel to the Y-axis or the X-axis. Therefore,generation of dark line can be more reduced. In other words, moreuniform light transmissivity can be achieved, and more excellent voltageresponse characteristic can be obtained. Furthermore, since initialorientation is improved, time to provide a pretilt angle to a liquidcrystal molecule can be shortened at the time of providing the pretiltangle to the liquid crystal molecule by emitting uniform ultraviolet ina state that a square-wave alternating electric field is applied to aliquid crystal cell as described above. Additionally, since reduction oforientation failure can be expected, yield is improved and manufacturingcost for the liquid crystal display can be reduced. Moreover, since thelight transmissivity can be improved, power consumption of backlight canbe reduced and reliability of a TFT can be improved. The same is appliedto the seventh and eighth work examples described below.

Partial enlarged schematic plan views of the first electrode of onepixel constituting the liquid crystal display of the modified example ofthe sixth work example are illustrated in FIGS. 20A, 20B, 21A, and 21B.FIGS. 20A, 20B, 21A, and 21B are the schematic plan views in which aportion of the first electrode surrounded by a round shape region isenlarged in the schematic plan view of the first electrode illustratedin FIG. 19. In the liquid crystal display of the modified example of thesixth work example, a joint portion 633 a of the two branch projectingportions 633 is provided with the projection 633 b extending toward theperipheral portion of the pixel 10 ₆. As illustrated in FIGS. 20A and20B, the projection 633 b may have a constitution surrounded by aplurality of line segments (two line segments in the exemplifieddrawings), also may have a constitution surrounded by one curved line asillustrated in FIG. 21A, also may have a constitution surrounded by aplurality of curved lines (two curved lines in the exemplified drawing)as illustrated in FIG. 21B, and also may have a constitution surroundedby combination of a line segment and a curved line. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 20A, a tip of the projection 633 b does not contactthe joint portion of the two branch projecting portions adjacent to eachother in the pixel peripheral portion direction. On the other hand, inthe example illustrated in FIG. 20B, the tip of the projection 633 bcontacts the joint portion of the two branch projecting portionsadjacent to each other in the pixel peripheral portion direction.

With this constitution, a portion of the branch projecting portionextending in parallel to the X-axis or a portion of the branchprojecting portion extending in parallel to the Y-axis does not exist,and even in the case of existing, a length thereof is extremely short.Additionally, since the projection 633 b is provided at a portion insidethe “V”-shaped bottom portion of the branch projecting portion, anorientation state of a liquid crystal molecule located in the vicinityof the inside of the bottom portion of the “V”-shaped bottom portion ofthe branch projecting portion can be set in a desired state more than inthe case where the projection 633 b is not provided at the portioninside the “V”-shaped bottom portion of the branch projecting portion.

Meanwhile, the liquid crystal display of the sixth work exampleillustrated in FIG. 19 is the modification of the fifth work exampleillustrated in FIG. 15, but the modified example of the fifth workexample illustrated in FIG. 16 or 17 may also be applicable to the sixthwork example.

Seventh Work Example

A seventh work example is also a modification of the fourth to fifthwork examples and relates to liquid crystal displays according to afourth-D aspect and a fifth-D aspect of the present disclosure. Aschematic diagram of a pixel 10 ₇ in the first substrate 20 constitutingthe liquid crystal display of the seventh work example when viewed fromabove is illustrated in FIG. 22. A schematic partial end face view ofthe liquid crystal display of the seventh work example is substantiallythe same as FIG. 1.

In the liquid crystal display according to the seventh work example, inthe case of assuming the (X, Y) coordinate system in which therespective straight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallelto the pixel peripheral portion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 733 occupying the firstquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which a value of theY-coordinate increases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 733 occupying the secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 733 occupying the thirdquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 733 occupying a fourthquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,

the branch projecting portion 733 extending from a trunk projectingportion 731 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrantand the branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 731 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying thefourth quadrant are not jointed,the branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunk projectingportion 731 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrantand the branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 731 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying thesecond quadrant are not jointed,the branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunk projectingportion 731 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrantand the branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 731 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the thirdquadrant are not jointed, andthe branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunk projectingportion 731 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrantand the branch projecting portion 733 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 731 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying thefourth quadrant are not jointed. In other words, in the seventh workexample, the branch projecting portion 733 is not jointed on the X-axisor the Y-axis.

Each of the branch projecting portions 733 is not jointed but may alsobe in a jointed state. Here, “joint” indicates a state in which each ofthe branch projecting portion intersects at a certain length, and“contact” indicates each of the branch projecting portions make contactat an extremely short length (a kind of point-contacting state).

With this constitution also, the portion of the branch projectingportion extending in parallel to the X-axis or the portion of the branchprojecting portion extending in the Y-axis does not exist. Or, even inthe case of existing, the length is extremely short. Therefore, theeffects similar to those described in the six work example can beobtained.

By thus forming the branch projecting portion 733 and the branchprojecting portion 733 in the non-jointed state, an electrical fieldgenerated by the first electrode 120 at the pixel center is distorted ina desired manner in the vicinity of the pixel center, and a fallingdirection of a liquid crystal molecule is determined. As a result,orientation control force relative to the liquid crystal molecule in thevicinity of the pixel center can be enhanced, and a tilting state of theliquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of the pixel center can besurely determined. Therefore, the time required to stabilize orientationof the liquid crystal molecule exposed to a desired electrical field canbe shortened although a liquid crystal layer is exposed to the desiredelectrical field for a predetermined time in order to provide a pretiltangle to the liquid crystal molecule at the time of manufacturing theliquid crystal display. In other words, a pretilt angle can be providedto the liquid crystal molecule in a short time and manufacturing time ofthe liquid crystal display can be shortened.

Meanwhile, the liquid crystal display of the seventh work exampleillustrated in FIG. 22 is the modification of the fifth work exampleillustrated in FIG. 15, but the modified examples of the fifth workexample illustrated in FIG. 16 or 17 may also be applicable to theseventh work example.

Eighth Work Example

A eighth work example is also a modification of the fourth to sixth workexamples and relates to liquid crystal displays according to a fourth-Easpect and a fifth-E aspect of the present disclosure. FIGS. 23 and 24are schematic diagrams of a pixel 10 ₈ in a first substrate 20constituting the liquid crystal display of the eighth work example whenviewed from above. The liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 23 isthe modification of the liquid crystal display of the sixth workexample, and the liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG. 24 is themodification of the liquid crystal display of the fourth work example. Aschematic partial end face view of the liquid crystal display of theeighth work example is substantially the same as FIG. 1.

In the liquid crystal display of the eighth work example, in the case ofdefining a forming pitch of a branch projecting portion 833 along theX-axis as P_(X) and defining a forming pitch of the branch projectingportion 833 along the Y-axis as P_(Y) (=P_(X)), a width of the branchprojecting portion 833 is (P_(Y)/2=P_(X)/2) and a width of the recessedportion 340 is (P_(Y)/2=P_(X)/2).

In the liquid crystal displays of the eighth work example, in the caseof assuming the (X, Y) coordinate system in which the respectivestraight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to thepixel peripheral portion are set as the X-axis and the Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 833 occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 833 occupying a secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 833 occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions 833 occupying a fourthquadrant extends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,

the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunk projectingportion 831 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrantand the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 831 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying thefourth quadrant are formed in a deviated state (preferably, formed in astate deviated from each other by (P_(X)/2)),the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunk projectingportion 831 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrantand the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 831 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying thesecond quadrant are formed in a deviated state (preferably, formed in astate deviated from each other by (P_(Y)/2)),the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunk projectingportion 831 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrantand the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 831 in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the thirdquadrant are formed in a deviated state (preferably, formed in a statedeviated from each other by (P_(X)/2)), andthe branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunk projectingportion 831 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrantand the branch projecting portion 833 extending from the trunkprojecting portion 831 in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying thefourth quadrant are formed in a deviated state (preferably, formed in astate deviated from each other by (P_(Y)/2)). The branch projectingportions 833 are not line-symmetric relative to the X-axis and theY-axis, and are rotationally symmetric (point-symmetric) at 180 degreeswith respect to the pixel center.

By thus forming the branch projecting portion 833 and the branchprojecting portion 833 in a state deviated from each other by a halfpitch, an electrical field generated by the first electrode 120 at thepixel center is distorted in the vicinity of the pixel center, and afalling direction of a liquid crystal molecule is determined. As aresult, orientation control force relative to the liquid crystalmolecule in the vicinity of the pixel center can be enhanced, and atilting state of the liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of thepixel center can be surely determined. Therefore, the time required tostabilize orientation of the liquid crystal molecule exposed to adesired electrical field can be shortened although a liquid crystallayer is exposed to the desired electrical field for a predeterminedtime in order to provide a pretilt angle to the liquid crystal moleculeat the time of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. In other words,a pretilt angle can be provided to the liquid crystal molecule in ashort time and manufacturing time of the liquid crystal display can beshortened.

The modified example of the fifth work example illustrated in FIG. 16 or17 may also be applicable to the eighth work example,

Ninth Work Example

A ninth work example is a modification of the liquid crystal displaysaccording to a first-A aspect (first work example and modificationthereof), a second aspect, a third aspect (third work example andmodification thereof), a fourth-A aspect, and a fifth-A aspect (fourthwork example and modification thereof) of the present disclosure. Aschematic partial end face view of the liquid crystal display of theninth work example is illustrated in FIG. 25 or FIG. 26 Additionally,conceptual diagrams illustrating behavior of liquid crystal molecules inthe liquid crystal display of the ninth work example are illustrated inFIGS. 44B and 44C.

In the liquid crystal display of the ninth work example, as illustratedin FIGS. 2 to 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the trunk projectingportions 131, 331 or the second trunk projecting portion 432 passing thepixel center portion and radially extending (such as in a cross shape)(specifically, extending in parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis, forexample) are formed on the first electrode 120. Furthermore, asillustrated in FIG. 25 or 26, the orientation control unit 53 is formedat a portion of the second electrode 52 corresponding to the trunkprojecting portions 131, 331 or the second trunk projecting portion 432.

Here, the orientation control unit 53 is formed of, specifically, asecond electrode slit structure 54 of 4.0 μm provided at the secondelectrode 52 (refer to FIGS. 25 and 44B) or formed of a second electrodeprotruding portion (rib) 55 provided at the second electrode 52 (referto FIGS. 26 and 44C). The second electrode protruding portion 55 isformed of, more specifically, a negative photo-resist material(OPTMER-AL: manufactured by JSR Corporation), and has a width of 1.4 μmand a height of 1.2 μm. A planar shape of the second electrode slitstructure 54 or the second electrode protruding portion (rib) 55 isradial (for example, a cross shape extending in, for example, X-axis andY-axis), and a cross-sectional shape of the second electrode protrudingportion 55 is an isosceles triangle. The second electrode 52 is notformed on the second electrode slit structure 54 or the second electrodeprotruding portion 55.

In the liquid crystal display of the ninth work example, since theorientation control unit 53 formed of the second electrode slitstructure 54 is formed at the portion of the second electrode 52corresponding to the trunk projecting portions 131, 331 or the secondtrunk projecting portion 432, an electrical field generated by thesecond electrode 52 is distorted in the vicinity of the orientationcontrol unit 53. Alternatively, since the orientation control unit 53formed of the second electrode protruding portion (rib) 55 is formed, afalling direction of a liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of thesecond electrode protruding portion 55 is determined. As a result,orientation control force relative to the liquid crystal molecule in thevicinity of the orientation control unit 53 can be enhanced, and atilting state of the liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of theorientation control unit 53 can be surely determined. Therefore,occurrence of a problem such as generation of dark lines at a portion ofan image corresponding to the trunk projecting portion can be surelysuppressed at the time of image display. In other words, it is possibleto provide the liquid crystal display capable of having more uniform andhigh light transmissivity while maintaining excellent voltage responsecharacteristics. Moreover, cost for a light source constituting a backlight can be reduced, low power consumption can be achieved, andreliability of a TFT can be improved. The orientation control unit 53may also be formed of a portion of the second electrode 52 having aprotruding shape.

Tenth Work Example

A tenth work example is a modification of the liquid crystal displaysaccording to the first-A aspect (first work example and modificationthereof), first-B aspect (second work example and modification thereof),second and third aspects (third work example and modification thereof),fourth-A and fifth-A aspects (fourth work example and modificationthereof), and fourth-B and fifth-B aspects (fifth work example andmodification thereof) of the present disclosure. Schematic diagrams of apixel 10 ₁₀ on the first substrate constituting the liquid crystaldisplay of the tenth work example when viewed from above are illustratedin FIGS. 27 and 28, schematic partial end face view of the firstelectrode and the like taken along an arrow A-A and an arrow B-B in FIG.27 are illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, and schematic partial end faceview of the first electrode taken along an arrow C-C and an arrow D-D inFIG. 28 are illustrated in FIGS. 29C and 29D. Examples illustrated inFIGS. 27 and 28 are modified examples of the second work example.

In the liquid crystal display of the tenth work example, a firstelectrode slit structure 137A (refer to FIG. 27) or a first electrodeprotruding portion (rib) 137B (refer to FIG. 28) passing a pixel centerportion and parallel to a pixel peripheral portion is formed on thefirst electrode 120. In other words, the first electrode slit structure137A or the first electrode protruding portion 137B is formed at a trunkrecessed portion 241 provided at a center portion of the pixel andhaving a radial shape (for example, a cross shape). A planar shape ofthe first electrode slit structure 137A or the first electrodeprotruding portion 137B is radial (for example, a cross shape andextending in parallel to, for example, X-axis and Y-axis). A width ofthe first electrode slit structure 137A is set to 4.0 μm. Additionally,a width of the first electrode protruding portion 137B formed of anegative photo-resist material (OPTMER-AL: manufactured by JSRCorporation) is set to 1.4 μm, and the height is set to 1.2 μm. Across-sectional shape of the first electrode protruding portion 1378 isan isosceles triangle. The first electrode 120 is not formed on thefirst electrode slit structure 137A or the first electrode protrudingportion 1378.

In the liquid crystal display of the tenth work example, the firstelectrode slit structure or the first electrode protruding portionpassing the pixel center portion and parallel to the pixel peripheralportion is formed on the first electrode. Therefore, compared to thecase of forming, on the first electrode, a flat projecting portion or aflat recessed portion without having the first electrode slit structureor the first electrode protruding portion, an electrical field generatedby the first electrode is distort in the vicinity of the first electrodeslit structure or the first electrode protruding portion (in the casewhere the first electrode slit structure is formed) or a fallingdirection of a liquid crystal molecule is determined (in the case wherethe first electrode protruding portion is formed). As a result,orientation control force relative to the liquid crystal molecule in thevicinity of the first electrode slit structure or the first electrodeprotruding portion can be enhanced, and a tilting state of the liquidcrystal molecule in the vicinity of the first electrode slit structureor the first electrode protruding portion can be surely determined.Therefore, occurrence of a problem such as generation of dark lines at aportion of the image corresponding to the trunk projecting portion,second trunk projecting portion, or the trunk recessed portion can besurely suppressed at the time of image display. In other words, it ispossible to provide the liquid crystal display capable of having moreuniform and high light transmissivity while maintaining excellentvoltage response characteristics. Moreover, cost for a light sourceconstituting a back light can be reduced, low power consumption can beachieved, and reliability of a TFT can be improved. In the firstelectrode 120, it may be possible to have a configuration in which thefirst electrode protruding portion 137B is formed by surrounding theprojecting portion that passes the pixel center portion and having aradial shape (for example, a cross shape and extending in parallel to,for example, X-axis and Y-axis) by the recessed portion. Such aradial-shaped projecting portion may be provided by forming a radialprojecting portion on a lower side of the first electrode 120, or may beprovided by a method similar to the forming method of the uneven portionon the first electrode 120. Alternatively, a recessed portion thatpasses the pixel center portion and has a radial shape may be providedinstead of providing the first electrode slit structure 137A or thefirst electrode protruding portion (rib) 137B.

Eleventh Work Example

An eleventh work example is a modification of the first to tenth workexamples and relates to a liquid crystal display according to a sixaspect of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, 31A, 31B, 31C, 32A, 32B, 32C,33A, 33B, and 33C which are schematic plan views of a first electrodeand the like in a portion of a pixel constituting the liquid crystaldisplay of the eleventh work example, a slit portion 138A is formed on afirst electrode 120 in addition to an uneven portion 121. In the slitportion 138A, a transparent conductive material layer constituting thefirst electrode 120 is not formed. Meanwhile, FIG. 34A is a schematicend face view taken along an arrow A-A in FIG. 30C, FIG. 34B is aschematic end face view taken along an arrow B-B in FIG. 31C, FIG. 34Cis a schematic end face view taken along an arrow C-C in FIG. 32C, andFIG. 34D is a schematic end face view taken along an arrow D-D in FIG.33C. Note that the illustrated examples are modified examples of thesixth example, but needless to mention, the slit portion 138A isapplicable to other work examples.

In the eleventh work example, the slit portion 138A is formed in aprojecting region 12. Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 30A, 30B, and 30C,the slit portion 138A is provides in a region including a center region(center portion) 11 of a pixel 10 ₁₁. Meanwhile, an arrangement state ofthe projecting portion 630, projecting region 12, recessed portion 340,and the center region 11 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 30A, anarrangement state of the slit portion 138A provided on the firstelectrode 120 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 30B, and a diagram inwhich the uneven portion 121 and the slit portion 138A are overlappedeach other is illustrated in FIG. 30C.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 31A, 31B, and 31C, the slitportion 138A is formed on one projecting region 12 (specifically, on onebranch projecting portion 633) that extends toward the center region(center portion) of the pixel 10 ₁₁ in each of the quadrants. Meanwhile,an arrangement state of the projecting portion 630, projecting region12, and recessed portion 340 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 31A,an arrangement state of the slit portion 138A provided on the firstelectrode 120 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 31B, and a diagram inwhich the uneven portion 121 and the slit portion 138A are overlappedeach other is illustrated in FIG. 31C.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 32A, 32B, and 32C, the slitportion 138A is formed in the projecting region 12 that extends towardthe center region (center portion) 11 of the pixel 10 ₁₁ in each of thequadrants. Meanwhile, an arrangement state of the projecting portion630, projecting region 12, recessed portion 340, and the center region11 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 32A, an arrangement state of theslit portion 138A provided on the first electrode 120 is schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 32B, and a diagram in which the uneven portion 121and the slit portion 138A are overlapped each other is illustrated inFIG. 32C.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 33A, 33B, and 33C, the slitportion 138A is formed in the projecting region 12 provided in a regioninterposed between the Y-axis and a projecting portion extending towardthe center region (center portion) 11 of the pixel 10 ₁₁. Meanwhile, anarrangement state of the projecting portion 630, projecting region 12,recessed portion 340, and the center region 11 are schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 33A, an arrangement state of the slit portion 138Aprovided on the first electrode 120 is schematically illustrated in FIG.33B, and a diagram in which the uneven portion 121 and the slit portion138A are overlapped each other is illustrated in FIG. 33C.

Here, in FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, 31A, 31B, 31C, 32A, 32B, 32C, 33A, 33B,and 33C, the recessed portions 340 are indicated by thin verticalhatching. Additionally, in FIGS. 30B, 30C, 31B, 31C, 32B, 32C, 33B, and33C, the slit portion 138A is indicated by thin horizontal hatching. Ina region indicated by reference sign 138B, the slit portion is notprovided, and transparent conductive material layers 135, 145constituting the first electrode 120 are formed. In the slit portion138A, a foundation layer 150 is exposed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 35A schematically illustrating anarrangement state of the projecting portion, recessed portion, slitportion, and the like in a portion of another modified example of thepixel constituting the liquid crystal display of the eleventh workexample, and as shown in FIG. 35B illustrating a schematiccross-sectional view of the first electrode and the like taken along anarrow B-B in FIG. 35A, a slit portion 138C extending in parallel to theprojecting portion 630 may also be formed on a top portion of theprojecting portion 630. Alternatively, as show in FIG. 36A schematicallyillustrating an arrangement state of the projecting portion, recessedportion, slit portion, and the like in still another modified example ofthe pixel constituting the liquid crystal display of the eleventh workexample, and as shown in FIG. 36B illustrating a schematiccross-sectional view of the first electrode and the like taken along anarrow B-B in FIG. 36A, the slit portion 138C extending in parallel tothe recessed portion 340 may also be formed on a bottom portion of therecessed portion 340. Note that the slit portion 138C is indicated bythick solid lines in FIGS. 35A and 36A. For example, in the examplesillustrated in FIGS. 35A and 35B, (width of projecting portion, width ofrecessed portion, width of slit portion)=(7.0 μm, 3.0 μm, 3.0 μm). Inthe examples illustrated in FIGS. 36A and 36B, (width of projectingportion, width of recessed portion, width of slit portion)=(3.0 μm, 7.0μm, 3.0 μm). Here, the slit portion 138C is formed such that aprojecting portion 630 isolated from other projecting portions 630 isnot formed by the slit portion 138C, or such that a recessed portion 340isolated from other recessed portion 340 is not formed by the slitportion 138C, that is, such that all of uneven portions are electricallyconnected. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 35A and 36A, the slitportion 138C is not provided at the projecting portion or the recessedportion on the X-axis and the Y-axis. In other words, a cut-out portionis provided at the slit portion 138C in the projecting portion or therecessed portion on the X-axis and the Y-axis. Meanwhile, it may also bepossible to have a constitution in which the slit portion is notprovided at the projecting portion or the recessed portion in theperipheral portion of the pixel 10 ₁₁.

Thus, in the eleventh work example, not only the uneven portion 121 butalso the slit portions 138A, 138C are formed on the first electrode 120.Therefore, an electrical field generated by the first electrode 120 isdistorted in the vicinity of the slit portions 138A, 138C and a fallingdirection of a liquid crystal molecule is firmly determined. In otherwords, orientation control force relative to the liquid crystal moleculein the vicinity of the slit portions 138A, 138C can be enhanced, and atilting state of the liquid crystal molecule in the vicinity of the slitportions 138A, 138C can be surely determined. Therefore, the timerequired to stabilize orientation of the liquid crystal molecule exposedto a desired electrical field can be shortened although a liquid crystallayer is exposed to the desired electrical field for a predeterminedtime in order to provide a pretilt angle to the liquid crystal moleculeat the time of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. In other words,a pretilt angle can be provided to the liquid crystal molecule in ashort time and manufacturing time of the liquid crystal display can beshortened. Meanwhile, not only the slit portion but also the unevenportion is provided, a problem of a fine slit structure in the relatedart is prevented from occurring.

Twelfth Work Example

A twelfth work example is a modification of the first to eleventh workexamples and relates to a liquid crystal display according to a seventhaspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 37 illustrating aschematic plan view of a first electrode of one pixel constituting theliquid crystal display of the twelfth work example, and as shown inFIGS. 38A, 39A, and 39B illustrating schematic plan views of a portionof a first electrode in a center region of one pixel 10 ₁₂ constitutingthe liquid crystal display of the twelfth work example, and further asillustrated in FIG. 38B illustrating a schematic partial cross-sectionalview of the same, a dent 139 is provided at the first electrode 120 inthe center region of the pixel 10 ₁₂.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 38B, the dent 139 becomes narrower towardthe first substrate. In other words, the dent 139 includes a so-calledforward tapered inclined plane. An inclination angle of the dent 139 is5 to 60 degrees, preferably, 20 to 30 degrees. Such an inclination anglecan be obtained by etching the foundation layer 150 on the basis of, forexample, an etch-back method such that the foundation layer 150 isinclined. Furthermore, a shape of an outer edge 139A of the dent 139 maybe a round shape as illustrated in FIG. 38A (diameter is 15 μm or 7 μm,for example), or may be a rectangular shape as illustrated in FIGS. 39Aand 39B (for example, square having side length of 12 μm). An angleformed by the outer edge 139A of the dent 139 having the rectangularshape and an extending direction of the branch projecting portion 633(angle formed by the outer edge 139A of the dent 139 having therectangular shape and the extending direction of the branch projectingportion 633 where the outer edge 139A intersects with an extendingportion of the branch projecting portion 633) may be 90 degrees (referto FIG. 39A), or may also be an acute angle such as 60 degrees (refer toFIG. 39B).

Thus, in the liquid crystal display of the twelfth work example, sincethe dent 139 is provided on the first electrode 120 in the pixel centerregion, a liquid crystal molecule located in the vicinity of the dent139 becomes a state of falling toward the pixel center. Therefore, thetime required to stabilize orientation of the liquid crystal moleculeexposed to a desired electrical field can be shortened although a liquidcrystal layer is exposed to the desired electrical field for apredetermined time in order to provide a pretilt angle to the liquidcrystal molecule at the time of manufacturing the liquid crystaldisplay. In other words, a pretilt angle can be provided to the liquidcrystal molecule in a short time and manufacturing time of the liquidcrystal display can be shortened.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 38C, it may be possible to have aconstitution in which the center portion of the dent 139 constitutes apart of the contact hole (connecting hole 35). Furthermore, note thatthe illustrated examples are modified examples of the sixth example, butneedless to mention, the dent 139 may be applicable to other workexamples.

Thirteenth Work Example

A thirteenth work example relates to a modification of the first andfourth work examples. A schematic plan view of a first electrode of onepixel constituting the liquid crystal display of the thirteenth workexample is illustrated in FIG. 40, and schematic plan views in which aportion of the first electrode surrounded by a round shape region isenlarged in the schematic plan view of the first electrode illustratedin FIG. 40 are illustrated in FIGS. 41A, 41B, 42.

In each of pixels 10 ₁₃ of the liquid crystal display of the thirteenthwork example, an extending direction of a side edge portion 432 b of thesecond trunk projecting portion 432 not jointed to the branch projectingportion 433 is not parallel to the X-axis and also not parallel to theY-axis. In other words, the extending direction of a side edge portion432 b of the second trunk projecting portion 432 not jointed to thebranch projecting portion 433 is a direction different from the X-axisand also different from the X-axis. Meanwhile, the second trunkprojecting portion 432 is line-symmetric with respect to the X-axis, andalso line-symmetric with respect to the Y-axis, and further rotationallysymmetric (point-symmetric) at 180 degrees with respect to the pixelcenter. Alternatively, in the liquid crystal display of the first workexample, it is possible to have a constitution in which an extendingdirection of a side edge portion of the trunk projecting portion 131 notjointed to the branch projecting portion 133 is not parallel to theX-axis and also not parallel to the Y-axis. In other words, theextending direction of the side edge portion of the trunk projectingportion or the second trunk projecting portion not jointed to the branchprojecting portion is different from the X-axis and the Y-axis. Byadopting such a constitution, generation of dark line in regionscorresponding to the X-axis and the Y-axis can be suppressed. As aresult, it is possible to provide the liquid crystal display capable ofachieving more uniform and higher light transmissivity. Moreover, it ispossible to provide the liquid crystal display having a constitution anda structure capable of providing the liquid crystal molecule 61 with apretilt angle in a short time.

Specifically, the side edge portion 432 b of the second trunk projectingportion 432 not jointed to the branch projecting portion 433 is straightline as illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41A, or a curved line as illustratedin FIGS. 41B and 42. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 40, 41A, 41B,and 42, a width of a portion 432 a of the second trunk projectingportion 432 not jointed to the branch projecting portion 433 becomesnarrower toward a distal end portion of the second trunk projectingportion 432.

Thus, in the liquid crystal display of the thirteenth work example, aportion of the trunk projecting portion extending in parallel to theX-axis or a portion of the trunk projecting portion extending inparallel to the Y-axis do not exist. Therefore, it is possible toprovide the liquid crystal display capable of achieving more uniform andhigh light transmissivity, and also it is possible to provide the liquidcrystal display having a constitution and a structure capable ofproviding the liquid crystal molecule with a pretilt angle in a shorttime.

Fourteenth Work Example

A fourteenth work example is a modification of a liquid crystal displaydescribed in the first to thirteenth work examples. A schematic planview illustrating a first electrode of one pixel constituting the liquidcrystal display of the fourteenth work example illustrated in FIG. 43,and the example illustrated in FIG. 43 is a modification of the firstwork example and corresponds to the schematic partial cross-sectionalview of the first electrode and the like taken along the arrow A-A inFIG. 2.

In the liquid crystal display of the fourteenth work example, aprojecting structure 13 is formed from a portion 20A of the firstsubstrate 20 located between a pixel 10 ₁₄ and a pixel 10 ₁₄ to aportion 20B of the first substrate corresponding to the pixel peripheralportion, and a peripheral portion of the uneven portion 121 is formed onthe projecting structure 13. Here, the projecting structure 13 is formedon the basis of a black matrix. The black matrix is formed of a lightcuring resin added with carbon. In the liquid crystal display of thefourteenth work example, a peripheral portion of the uneven portion 121is formed on the projecting structure 13. Therefore, compared to a casewhere the peripheral portion of the uneven portion 121 is flat, anelectrical field having more intensity is generated in the peripheralportion of the uneven portion. As a result, orientation control forcerelative to the liquid crystal molecule in the peripheral portion of theuneven portion 121 can be enhanced, and a tilting state of the liquidcrystal molecule in the peripheral portion of the uneven portion 121 canbe surely determined. Therefore, excellent voltage responsecharacteristic can be maintained.

Meanwhile, the projecting structure is not limited to the configurationformed on the basis of the black matrix, and the projecting structuremay have a constitution formed of a constituent element of the liquidcrystal display formed on the first substrate 20 or above the firstsubstrate 20, for example, various kinds of signal lines, auxiliarycapacitance electrode, gate electrode, source/drain electrodes, andvarious kinds of wiring. Additionally, in this case, the projectingstructure can be formed on the foundation layer 150 due to influence ofa thickness of a constituent element of the liquid crystal display byoptimizing a thickness of the foundation layer 150.

As described above, the present disclosure has been described on thebasis of the preferable work examples, but the present disclosure is notlimited these work examples and various kinds of modifications can bemade. The planar shapes of the projecting portion and the branchprojecting portion are not limited to the V shape described in the workexamples, and for example, it is possible to adopt various kinds ofpatterns in which the projecting portion and the branch projectingportion extend toward multiple azimuth angles, for examples, stripe-likeand ladder-like patterns. In the case of viewing the projecting portionand the branch projecting portion as a whole, planner shapes of endportions of the projecting portion and the branch projecting portion maybe linear or may also be stepwise. Additionally, the planner shapes ofend portions of the respective projecting portion and branch projectingportions may also be linear or may also be formed of combination of linesegments, or may also draw a curved line such as an arc.

In the work examples, the liquid crystal display (liquid crystal displayelement) in a VA mode have been described, but the present disclosure isnot limited thereto and may be applied to another display mode such asan ECB mode (positive liquid crystal mode in horizontal orientation;without twist), an in plane switching (IPS) mode, a fringe fieldswitching (FFS) mode, or optically compensated bend (OCB) mode. In thiscase also, similar effects can be obtained. However, in the presentdisclosure, an improvement effect of high response characteristics canbe exerted especially in the VA mode more than in the IPS mode and theFFS mode, compared to a case where pretilt processing is not applied.Additionally, in the work examples, a transmissive type liquid crystaldisplay (liquid crystal display element) has been exclusively described,but not limited thereto, a reflection type may also be applied. In thecase of applying the reflection type, a pixel electrode is formed of anelectrode material having light reflectivity, such as aluminum.

Furthermore, the present disclosure may also take followingconstitutions.

[A01]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . First Aspect>>

A liquid crystal display formed by arraying a plurality of pixels, thepixel including:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode formed on a facing surface of the first substrate thatfaces a second substrate;

a second electrode formed on a facing surface of the second substratethat faces the first substrate; and

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and thesecond electrode and including a liquid crystal molecule,

wherein

a pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule,

the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material layerand a foundation layer having a plurality of projecting portions andrecessed portions,

a first transparent conductive material layer connected to a first powerfeeding unit is formed on a projecting portion top surface of thefoundation layer, and

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to a secondpower feeding unit is formed on a recessed portion bottom surface of thefoundation layer.

[A02]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . First-A Aspect>>

The liquid crystal display recited in [A01], wherein

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion thatpasses a pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in across shape) and a plurality of branch projecting portions that extendsfrom the trunk projecting portion toward a pixel peripheral portion, and

the recessed portion is formed of a trunk recessed portion that isformed in a pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape and surroundsthe projecting portion, and a branch recessed portion that extends fromthe trunk recessed portion and is located between a branch projectingportion and a branch projecting portion.

[A03]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . First-B Aspect>>

The liquid crystal display recited in [A01], wherein

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion formed inthe pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape, and a plurality ofbranch projecting portions that extends from the trunk projectingportion toward inside of the pixel, and

a recessed portion is formed of a trunk recessed portion that passes thepixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in a crossshape), and a branch recessed portion that extends from the trunkrecessed portion toward the pixel peripheral portion and is locatedbetween a branch projecting portion and a branch projecting portion.

[A04] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [A03],wherein the first power feeding unit and the second power feeding unitare common.

[A05] The liquid crystal display recited in [A04], wherein the commonfirst power feeding unit and second power feeding unit are provided atthe pixel peripheral portion.

[A06] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [A03],wherein the first power feeding unit is provided at the pixel centerportion and the second power feeding unit is provided at pixelperipheral portion.

[A07] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [A03],wherein the first power feeding unit and the second power feeding unitare provided at pixel peripheral portion.

[A08] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [A07],wherein

in the case of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respectivestraight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to thepixel peripheral portion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases;

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases; and

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases.

[B01]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Second Aspect>>

A liquid crystal display formed by arraying a plurality of pixels, andthe pixel including:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode formed on a facing surface of the first substrate thatfaces a second substrate;

a second electrode formed on a facing surface of the second substratethat faces the first substrate; and

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and thesecond electrode and including a liquid crystal molecule,

wherein

a pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule,

the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material layerand a foundation layer having a plurality of projecting portions andrecessed portions,

a first transparent conductive material layer is formed on a projectingportion top surface of the foundation layer,

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to the firsttransparent conductive material layer is formed on a recessed portionbottom surface of the foundation layer,

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion thatpasses a pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in across shape), and a plurality of branch projecting portions that extendsfrom the trunk projecting portion toward a pixel peripheral portion,

the recessed portion extends from the trunk projecting portion and islocated between a branch projecting portion and a branch projectingportion, and

a narrowest portion exists in the recessed portion.

[B02]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Third Aspect>>

A liquid crystal display formed by arraying a plurality of pixels, andthe pixel including:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode formed on a facing surface of the first substrate thatfaces a second substrate;

a second electrode formed on a facing surface of the second substratethat faces the first substrate; and

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and thesecond electrode and including a liquid crystal molecule,

wherein

a pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule,

the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material layerand a foundation layer having a plurality of projecting portions andrecessed portions,

a first transparent conductive material layer is formed on a projectingportion top surface of the foundation layer,

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to the firsttransparent conductive material layer is formed on a recessed portionbottom surface of the foundation layer,

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion thatpasses a pixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in across shape), and a plurality of branch projecting portions that extendsfrom the trunk projecting portion toward a pixel peripheral portion, and

the recessed portion extends from the trunk projecting portion and islocated between a branch projecting portion and a branch projectingportion, and

a portion where a level difference between the recessed portion and theprojecting portion becomes smallest exists.

[C01]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fourth Aspect>>

A liquid crystal display formed by arraying a plurality of pixels, andthe pixel including:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode formed on a facing surface of the first substrate thatfaces a second substrate;

a second electrode formed on a facing surface of the second substratethat faces the first substrate; and

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and thesecond electrode and including a liquid crystal molecule,

wherein

a pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule,

the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material layerand a foundation layer having a plurality of projecting portions andrecessed portions,

a first transparent conductive material layer is formed on a projectingportion top surface of the foundation layer,

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to the firsttransparent conductive material layer is formed on a recessed portionbottom surface of the foundation layer,

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion that isformed in a pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape and aplurality of branch projecting portions that extends from the trunkprojecting portion toward inside of a pixel, and

the recessed portion extends from the trunk projecting portion and islocated between a branch projecting portion and a branch projectingportion, and

a narrowest portion exists in the recessed portion.

[C02]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fifth Aspect>>

A liquid crystal display formed by arraying a plurality of pixels, andthe pixel including:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode formed on a facing surface of the first substrate thatfaces a second substrate;

a second electrode formed on a facing surface of the second substratethat faces the first substrate; and

a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and thesecond electrode and including a liquid crystal molecule,

wherein

a pretilt angle is provided to a liquid crystal molecule,

the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material layerand a foundation layer having a plurality of projecting portions andrecessed portions,

a first transparent conductive material layer is formed on a projectingportion top surface of the foundation layer,

a second transparent conductive material layer connected to the firsttransparent conductive material layer is formed on a recessed portionbottom surface of the foundation layer,

the projecting portion is formed of a trunk projecting portion that isformed in a pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape and aplurality of branch projecting portions that extends from the trunkprojecting portion toward inside of a pixel, and

the recessed portion extends from the trunk projecting portion and islocated between a branch projecting portion and a branch projectingportion, and

a region where a level difference between the recessed portion and theprojecting portion becomes smallest exists.

[C03]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fourth-A Aspect/Fifth-A Aspect>>

The liquid crystal display recited in [C01] or [C02], wherein theprojecting portion further includes a second trunk projecting portionthat passes the pixel center portion from the trunk projecting portion,radially extends (for example, in a cross shape), and is connected to abranch projecting portion.

[C04]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fourth-B Aspect/Fifth-B Aspect>>

The liquid crystal display recited in [C01] or [C02], wherein therecessed portion is formed of a trunk recessed portion that passes thepixel center portion and radially extends (for example, in a crossshape), and a branch recessed portion that extends from the trunkrecessed portion to the trunk projecting portion and is located betweena branch projecting portion and a branch projecting portion.

[C05] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [C01] to [C04],wherein

in the case of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respectivestraight lines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to thepixel peripheral portion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases;

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases; and

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases.

[C06]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fourth-C Aspect/Fifth-C Aspect>>

The liquid crystal display recited in [C01] or [C02], wherein in thecase of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respective straightlines passing a pixel center portion and parallel to a pixel peripheralportion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of Y-coordinateincreases when a value of X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a connected state;

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant areformed in a connected state;

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a connected state; and

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a connected state.

[C07]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fourth-D Aspect/Fifth-D Aspect>>

The liquid crystal display recited in [C01] or [C02], wherein in thecase of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respective straightlines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to the pixelperipheral portion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant arenot jointed,

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant arenot jointed,

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant arenot jointed, and

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant arenot jointed.

[C08]<<Liquid Crystal Display . . . Fourth-E Aspect/Fifth-E Aspect>>

The liquid crystal displays recited in [C01] or [C02], wherein in thecase of assuming a (X, Y) coordinate system in which respective straightlines passing the pixel center portion and parallel to the pixelperipheral portion are set as an X-axis and a Y-axis,

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which a value of the Y-coordinateincreases when a value of the X-coordinate increases;

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate increases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases;

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate decreases; and

a plurality of branch projecting portions occupying a fourth quadrantextends in parallel in a direction in which the value of theY-coordinate decreases when the value of the X-coordinate increases,

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a deviated state;

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the first quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the second quadrant areformed in a deviated state;

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the second quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the X-axis and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a deviated state; and

the branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the third quadrant andthe branch projecting portion extending from the trunk projectingportion in parallel to the Y-axis and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a deviated state.

[D01] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [C08],wherein a transparent conductive material layer is further formed on atleast a part of a side surface of the foundation layer that connects theprojecting portion top surface to the recessed portion bottom surface ofthe foundation layer.

[D02] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [D01],wherein

a black matrix is provided, and

a projection image at a portion in the first substrate located between apixel and a pixel, a projection image in the pixel peripheral portion,and a projection image in the black matrix are overlapped.

[D03] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [D02],wherein

a first orientation film to cover the first electrode and a secondorientation film to cover the second electrode are further provided, and

the liquid crystal molecule is provided with a pretilt angle by makingpolymerizable monomer at least constituting the first orientation filmreact while a predetermined electrical field is applied to the liquidcrystal layer.

[D04] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [D02],wherein

a first orientation film to cover the first electrode and a secondorientation film to cover the second electrode are further provided, and

the liquid crystal molecule is provided with a pretilt angle by makingpolymerizable monomer included in the liquid crystal layer react while apredetermined electrical field is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

[D05] The liquid crystal display recited in [D03] or [D04], wherein inthe case of setting an average film thickness of the first orientationfilm as T₁ and an average film thickness of the second orientation filmas T₂, 0.5≤T₂/T₁≤1.5 is satisfied.

[E01] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [D04],wherein an orientation control unit is formed at a portion of the secondelectrode corresponding to the trunk projecting portion.

[E02] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [D04],wherein a first electrode slit structure or a first electrode protrudingportion passing the pixel center portion and parallel to the pixelperipheral portion is formed on the first electrode.

[E03] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [E02],wherein a width of a branch projecting portion provided at the firstelectrode becomes narrower toward a distal end portion.

[E04] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [E02],wherein a width of a branch projecting portion is widest at a portion ofthe branch projecting portion jointed to the trunk projecting portionand becomes narrower toward a distal end portion from a portion jointedto the trunk projecting portion.

[E05] The liquid crystal display recited in [E04], wherein the width ofthe branch projecting portion becomes linearly narrower from the portionjointed to the trunk projecting portion toward the distal end portion.

[E06] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [E05],wherein a projecting structure is formed from a portion of the firstsubstrate located between a pixel and a pixel to a portion of the firstsubstrate corresponding to the pixel peripheral portion, and aperipheral portion of an uneven portion is formed on the projectingstructure.

[F01] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [E06],wherein a slit portion is formed at the first electrode.

[F02] The liquid crystal display recited in [F01], wherein the slitportion is formed in a projecting region.

[F03] The liquid crystal display recited in [F02], wherein the slitportion is formed in the projecting region including a pixel centerportion.

[F04] The liquid crystal display recited in [F02], wherein the slitportion is formed on the projecting region extending toward a pixelcenter region.

[F05] The liquid crystal display recited in [F02], wherein the slitportion is provided in a region interposed between the Y-axis and aprojecting portion extending toward a pixel center region.

[F06] The liquid crystal display recited in [F01], wherein the slitportion extending in parallel to a projecting portion is formed on a topportion of the projecting portion.

[F07] The liquid crystal display recited in [F01], wherein the slitportion extending in parallel to a recessed portion is formed on abottom portion of the recessed portion.

[G01] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [F07],wherein a dent is provided at the first electrode in a pixel centerregion.

[G02] The liquid crystal display recited in [G01], wherein the dentbecomes narrower toward the first substrate.

[G03] The liquid crystal display recited in [G02], wherein aninclination angle of the dent is 5 to 60 degrees.

[G04] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [G01] to [G03]wherein an outer edge shape of the dent is a round shape.

[G05] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [G01] to [G03],wherein an outer edge shape of the dent is a rectangular shape.

[G06] The liquid crystal display recited in [G05], wherein an angleformed between an outer edge of the rectangular-shaped dent and anextending direction of the projecting portion is 90 degrees.

[G07] The liquid crystal display recited in [G05], wherein an angleformed between an outer edge of the rectangular-shaped dent and anextending direction of the projecting portion is an acute angle.

[G08] The liquid crystal display according to any one of [G01] to [G07],wherein a center portion of the dent constitutes a part of a contacthole.

[H01] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [A01] to [G08],wherein

a projecting portion extending from the X-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the first quadrant and a projecting portion extending from theX-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the fourth quadrant are formedin a state deviated from each other;

a projecting portion extending from the Y-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the first quadrant and a projecting portion extending from theY-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the second quadrant are formedin a state deviated from each other;

a projecting portion extending from the X-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the second quadrant and a projecting portion extending fromthe X-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other; and

a projecting portion extending from the Y-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the third quadrant and a projecting portion extending from theY-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the fourth quadrant are formedin a state deviated from each other.

[H02] The liquid crystal display recited in [H01], wherein

in the case of assuming a forming pitch of projecting portions along theX-axis is P_(X) and assuming a forming pitch of projecting portionsalong the Y-axis is P_(Y),

the projecting portion extending from the X-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the first quadrant and the projecting portion extending fromthe X-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(X)/2;

the projecting portion extending from the Y-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the first quadrant and the projecting portion extending fromthe Y-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the second quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(Y)/2;

the projecting portion extending from the X-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the second quadrant and the projecting portion extending fromthe X-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the third quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(X)/2; and

the projecting portion extending from the Y-axis or vicinity thereof andoccupying the third quadrant and the projecting portion extending fromthe Y-axis or vicinity thereof and occupying the fourth quadrant areformed in a state deviated from each other by P_(Y)/2.

[J01] The liquid crystal display recited in [A02], [A03], [B01], [B02],[C01], [C02], [C03], or [C04], wherein an extending direction of a sideedge portion of the trunk projecting portion not jointed to a branchprojecting portion is neither parallel to the X-axis nor parallel to theY-axis.

[J02] The liquid crystal display recited in [J01], wherein the trunkprojecting portion constituting a plurality of uneven portions is formedin the pixel peripheral portion in a frame-like shape instead of beingformed on the X-axis and the Y-axis.

[J03] The liquid crystal display recited in [J01] or [J02], wherein theside edge portion of the trunk projecting portion not jointed to thebranch projecting portion is a straight line.

[J04] The liquid crystal display recited any one of [J01] to [J03],wherein the side edge portion of the trunk projecting portion notjointed to the branch projecting portion is a curved line.

[J05] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [J01] to [J04],wherein a width of a portion of the trunk projecting portion not jointedto the branch projecting portion becomes narrower toward a distal endportion of the trunk projecting portion.

[J06] The liquid crystal display recited in any one of [J01] to [J05],wherein the width of the branch projecting portion becomes narrowertoward the pixel peripheral portion.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆, 10 ₇, 10 ₈,    10 ₁₀, 10 ₁₁, 10 ₁₂, 10 ₁₃, 10 ₁₄ Pixel-   11 Pixel center region (center portion)-   12 Projecting region-   13 Projecting structure-   20 First substrate-   20A Portion of first substrate located between pixel and pixel-   20B Portion of first substrate corresponding to pixel peripheral    portion-   20′ Insulation film-   21 First orientation film-   22 Color filter layer-   30 TFT layer-   31 Gate electrode-   32 Gate insulation layer-   33 Semiconductor layer (channel forming region)-   34 Source/drain electrodes-   35 Connecting hole (contact hole)-   50 Second substrate-   51 Second orientation film-   52 Second electrode (facing electrode)-   53 Orientation control unit-   54 Second electrode slit structure-   55 Second electrode protruding portion (rib)-   60 Liquid crystal layer-   61, 61A, 61B, 61C Liquid crystal molecule-   80 Display area-   81 Source driver-   82 Gate driver-   83 Timing controller-   84 Power circuit-   91 Source line-   92 Gate line-   93 TFT-   94 Capacitor-   120 First electrode (pixel electrode)-   121 Uneven portion-   130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830 Projecting portion-   131, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 731, 831 Trunk projecting portion    (main projecting portion)-   432 Second trunk projecting portion-   432 a Portion of second trunk projecting portion not jointed to    branch projecting portion-   432 b Side edge portion of second trunk projecting portion not    jointed to branch projecting portion-   133, 233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 733, 833 Branch projecting portion    (sub-projecting portion)-   333 a, 433 a Portion of branch projecting portion jointed to trunk    projecting portion-   333 b, 433 b Distal end portion of branch projecting portion-   633 a Joint portion of two branch projecting portion-   633 b Projection of branch projecting portion-   135 First transparent conductive material layer-   136A, 136B, 136C, 136D, 136E, 146B, 146C Power feeding unit-   137A First electrode slit structure-   137B First electrode protruding portion (rib)-   138A, 138C Slit portion-   138B Region not provided with slit portion and formed with    transparent conductive material layer constituting first electrode-   139 Dent-   139A Outer edge of dent-   140, 240, 340, 440, 540 Recessed portion-   141, 241, 541 Trunk recessed portion (main recessed portion)-   143, 243, 543 Branch recessed portion (sub-recessed portion)-   344, 444 Portion where recessed portion starts extending from trunk    projecting portion-   544 Portion where branch recessed portion starts extending from    trunk projecting portion-   145 Second transparent conductive material layer-   150 Foundation layer-   151 Projecting portion top surface of foundation layer-   152 Recessed portion bottom surface of foundation layer-   153 Side surface of foundation layer

The invention claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display, comprising: aplurality of pixels in a matrix, each pixel of the plurality of pixelshaving: a first substrate; a second substrate; a first electrode on anopposing face of the first substrate, wherein the first substrate isopposite to the second substrate; a second electrode on an opposing faceof the second substrate, which is opposite to the first substrate; acolor filter layer between the first substrate and the first electrode;a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the secondelectrode, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a plurality ofliquid crystal molecules; a power feeding structure that overlaps ablack matrix of the second substrate, wherein the power feedingstructure is connected to the first electrode; a plurality of unevenportions above the first substrate; and a plurality of branch projectingportions in a plane of the first substrate, wherein the plurality ofbranch projecting portions includes (i) a first subset of the branchprojecting portions that extends from a first side of a stem projectingportion on an axis and (ii) a second subset of the branch projectingportions that extends from a second side of the stem projecting portionon the axis, the first side of the stem projecting portion beingdifferent from the second side of the stem projecting portion, the firstand second subsets of the branch projecting portions extending from thestem projecting portion to a same side of the respective pixel, the stemprojecting portion extends along a straight line on the axis, the firstside of the stem projecting portion is parallel to the second side ofthe stem projecting portion, the first subset of the branch projectingportions and the second subset of branch projecting portions extend awayfrom the first and second sides of the stem projecting portion, and thefirst subset of the branch projecting portions is offset from the secondsubset of the branch projecting portions along the stem projectingportion on the axis.
 2. The liquid crystal display according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of branch projecting portions are projections whenviewed from a first direction perpendicular to the plane and extend froma central region of each pixel to a periphery of each pixel.
 3. Theliquid crystal display according to claim 1, further comprising: a firstalignment film covering the first electrode and the opposing face of thefirst substrate; and a second alignment film covering the secondelectrode and the opposing face of the second substrate.
 4. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 3, wherein the color filter layer isabove a gate electrode and a drain/source electrode.
 5. The liquidcrystal display according to claim 1, wherein a pretilt is imparted onthe liquid crystal molecules.
 6. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 1, wherein an angle formed by the axis and one edge part of aplurality of projecting branch electrode portions is α1, an angle formedby the axis and another edge part of the projecting branch electrodeportions is α2, and an angle α0 formed by one of the axis and an axialline L0 of the projecting branch electrode portions being represented asfollows:α0={α1+(180−α2)}/2, where 0<α1<=90 degrees and 90<=α2<180 degrees. 7.The liquid crystal display according to claim 1, wherein a width of aprojecting portion of the plurality of branch projecting portions, and arecessed portion are 1 μm to 25 μm and a width of a stem projectingportion is 2×10−6 m to 2×10−5 m.
 8. The liquid crystal display accordingto claim 1, wherein a side edge part of the stem projecting portion,that is not joined to the plurality of branch projecting portions, has acurved line shape.
 9. The liquid crystal display according to claim 1,wherein a side edge part of the stem projecting portion, that is notjoined to the plurality of branch projecting portions, has a straightline shape and is parallel to the axis.
 10. The liquid crystal displayaccording to claim 1, wherein a width of a portion of a projectingportion provided on the first electrode is narrower toward a tip portionof the projecting portion.
 11. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 1, wherein the power feeding structure is connected to a branchprojecting portion of the first electrode.
 12. The liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral portion of an unevenportion of the plurality of uneven portions, is one of parallel ororthogonal to the axis.
 13. The liquid crystal display according toclaim 1, wherein a peripheral portion of an uneven portion of theplurality of uneven portions is on a projecting structure.
 14. Theliquid crystal display according to claim 13, wherein the projectingstructure comprises one of a signal line, a gate electrode, a sourceelectrode, a drain electrode and a plurality of wiring.
 15. A displayapparatus comprising, a backlight comprising a light source device, areflection member, and an optical sheet; a power supply circuitconfigured to supply electric power to a source driver; a gate driver; apanel comprising a plurality of pixels in a matrix, each pixel of theplurality of pixels having: a first substrate; a second substrate; afirst electrode on an opposing face of the first substrate, wherein thefirst substrate is opposite to the second substrate; a second electrodeon an opposing face of the second substrate, which is opposite to thefirst substrate; a color filter layer between the first substrate andthe first electrode; and a liquid crystal layer between the firstelectrode and the second electrode, wherein the liquid crystal layerincludes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; a power feedingstructure that overlaps a black matrix of the second substrate, whereinthe power feeding structure is connected to the first electrode; aplurality of uneven portions above the first substrate; and a pluralityof branch projecting portions in a plane of the first substrate, whereinthe plurality of branch projecting portions includes (i) a first subsetof the branch projecting portions that extends from a first side of astem projecting portion on an axis and (ii) a second subset of thebranch projecting portions that extends from a second side of the stemprojecting portion on the axis, the first side of the stem projectingportion being different from the second side of the stem projectingportion, the first and second subsets of the branch projecting portionsextending from the stem projecting portion to a same side of therespective pixel, the stem projecting portion extends along a straightline on the axis, the first side of the stem projecting portion isparallel to the second side of the stem projecting portion, the firstsubset of the branch projecting portions and the second subset of branchprojecting portions extend away from the first and second sides of thestem projecting portion, and the first subset of the branch projectingportions is offset from the second subset of the branch projectingportions along the stem projecting portion on the axis.
 16. The displayapparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a first alignmentfilm covering the first electrode and the opposing face of the firstsubstrate; and a second alignment film covering the second electrode andthe opposing face of the second substrate.
 17. The display apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the color filter layer is above a gateelectrode and a drain/source electrode.
 18. The display apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein an angle formed by the axis and one edgepart of a plurality of projecting branch electrode portions is α1, anangle formed by the axis and another edge part of the projecting branchelectrode portions is α2, and an angle α0 formed by the axis and anaxial line L0 of the projecting branch electrode portions beingrepresented as follows:α0={α1+(180−α2)}/2, where 0<α1<=90 degrees and 90<=α2<180 degrees. 19.The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a width of a branchprojecting portion of the plurality of branch projecting portions, and arecessed portion are 1 μm to 25 μm and a width of a stem projectingportion is 2×10−6 m to 2×10−5 m.
 20. The display apparatus according toclaim 15, wherein a side edge part of the stem projecting portion, thatis not joined to the plurality of branch projecting portions, has acurved line shape.
 21. The display apparatus according to claim 15,wherein a side edge part of the stem projecting portion, that is notjoined to the plurality of branch projecting portions, has a straightline shape and is parallel to the axis.
 22. The display apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein a width of a portion of a projectingportion provided on the first electrode is narrower toward a tip portionof the projecting portion.
 23. The display apparatus according to claim15, wherein the power feeding structure is connected to a branchprojecting portion of the first electrode.
 24. The display apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein a peripheral portion of an uneven portionof the plurality of uneven portions, is one of parallel or orthogonal tothe axis.
 25. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein theplurality of branch projecting portions are projections when viewed froma first direction perpendicular to the plane and extend from a centralregion of each pixel to a periphery of each pixel.
 26. The displayapparatus according to claim 15, wherein a peripheral portion of anuneven portion of the plurality of uneven portions is on a projectingstructure.
 27. The display apparatus according to claim 26, wherein theprojecting structure comprises one of a signal line, a gate electrode, asource electrode, a drain electrode and a plurality of wiring.